Aura-project, Preservation of identity

Project idea

The housing estate for people with physical disabilities in Pesthidegkút was exemplary in its kind when it was built in the early 1980s. Designed by Tamás Dévényi and Péter Hegedűs, the parallel gabled roofs arranged side by side, the brick-clad façades, the pedestrian streets formed between the buildings, and the expansive shared gardens together create a unique atmosphere that has regularly inspired filmmakers. Originally intended as transitional housing for young adults moving out of social institutions, the estate supported independent living with barrier-free spaces. However, the program was not continued, and the units eventually became subsidized owner-occupied apartments.

Today, only a small portion of the residents are people with physical disabilities. As needs have changed, attic conversions and extensions have appeared. Due to the aging of the buildings and the evolving lifestyles of the residents, an increasing number of modernizations and alterations are taking place across the estate. Lightweight garage structures have emerged in the parking areas, and none of the nearby grocery stores match the architectural quality of the residential complex. The current community, formed by the estate's residents, is also aware of this phenomenon and is seeking ways to meet their needs in a way that respects the unique atmosphere of the place.

What kind of architectural interventions could introduce community spaces and services to the estate, acting as contemporary additions to this “village” formed from terraced houses? In this project, we aim to explore this question using the tools of architecture.

Project description

As the first step of the design process, we identified a set of problems that could be effectively addressed through architectural solutions. While walking through the housing estate in Pesthidegkút, we were captivated by the carefully composed blocks and their unique, distinctive atmosphere. However, over the years, changing needs of the residents have disrupted this aesthetic harmony, as each individual adapted their space to suit personal requirements.

The preservation of the estate’s unified identity often comes into conflict with the individual visions of its inhabitants—an issue we believe is worth critically examining. This fundamental tension has frequently resulted in visually poor, incomplete solutions, such as the disruption of roofline rhythms due to attic conversions, inconsistent window designs, or the proliferation of tin garages.

Our aim is to develop a solution that responds to these issues through a single architectural intervention, preserving the unique aesthetic values of the housing estate. We propose this integrated design as an expansion of the existing small grocery store, which is currently operating at full capacity. This expansion also presents an opportunity to rehabilitate the façade of a building that currently diminishes the architectural quality of the estate.

Throughout the design process, we paid close attention to the site's authentic architectural character and distinctive textures. It was important to us that the extension aligns with the existing buildings, while still forming an independent architectural unit.
When defining the function of the central building, we sought a purpose that would, on the one hand, serve as a community catalyst for local residents, and on the other, potentially generate income through external visitors, contributing to the building’s maintenance.

Another key objective was to create a space for leisure and relaxation that cannot be realized within the walls of individual apartments. After studying how other residential communities organize their communal life, we decided to include a swimming pool as part of the program.

In addition, responding to the needs of the wider area, we also designed a covered market space, offering a more dignified and durable setting for the periodically organized farmers’ markets held by local producers.
As a complement to the small shop, we placed coffee tables along the street front, providing a space for those wishing to relax or have a coffee after swimming.

As supporting functions, we included restrooms and changing rooms for the swimming pool, a reception area, as well as storage facilities and a bicycle rack serving the marketplace.

Technical information

We began developing the architectural concept with its smallest-scale components: the garage buildings. The primary goal was to cover the areas that had previously been used for parking. In terms of material use, we drew inspiration from the surrounding housing estate; accordingly, the walls were designed using the characteristic brick of the area, while the supporting columns were designed as I-beams in a dark brown tone, similar to the structural elements of the entrance canopies that decorate the apartment blocks.

Each garage building accommodates nine parking spaces, and we placed four such structures around the central building. The rear wall of each parking space is a solid 12 cm thick brick wall, while I-beams were installed along the imagined dividing lines at the front of each parking bay. To create a closer connection with the surroundings, we opened up the side walls more, designing perforated brick walls with occasional rotated bricks to provide vertical bracing. The garages are topped with reinforced concrete slabs with a 5% slope.

For the main building, we opted for green roofs, contributing to an environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing appearance. To improve natural lighting, we incorporated recesses into the roof surface.

At the market area, it was important to encourage visitors to walk around, so we created a cloister-like space by breaking through the ceiling slab, allowing more light to enter the structure and enhancing the spatial experience.

Documentation

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