THE NEW NATIONAL GALLERY AND LUDWIG MUSEUM, LIGET BUDAPEST / HENNING LARSEN ARCHITECTS

The proposal from Henning Larsen Architects comprises a design of a round shaped building with no front or back, which will fit seamlessly into this self-grown park structure with respect to the historical environment.

 

The competition contains a design proposal for one building consisting of two institutions: The New National Gallery and the Ludwig Museum.

 

The two-winged house offers an open and transparent meeting point for the residents and visitors of the public park: Városliget. Värosliget was the first public park in the world and the vision of Henning Larsen Architects proposal is to support this unique place with a building that continually adds more value to the residents and visitors of Budapest for many years to come.

 

The main access is through a tranquil garden which extends both the building’s programs further into the park. The western edge is bordered with solitary trees and includes a café terrace that is set in the foreground of the great lawn.

 

From the main entry hall it is possible to recognize the clear difference between the two museums, and you get to experience both museums at one time. From here the visitor has a clear overview of the building’s activities and program. The shared office and learning facilities overlook the entrance and add up to the life and activity level of the building.

 

The open and transparent façade design allows for passers-by to experience the exhibitions and activity from outside the museum as well as for the audience to experience the park from within the museum. The cut that divides the building in two shade from the sun during the day but allow for the museum to open up to the park at night.

 

SUSTAINABILITY

The integrated design method focuses on minimizing the energy consumption while maintaining all the qualities of a contemporary building created to adjust to the future. The integrated design method comprises three steps:

 

1. REDUCE through a well-planned design

2. OPTIMIZE through technical solutions

3. PRODUCE through building integrated energy w of renewable energy

 

The main focus has been to minimize the energy consumption through implementation and optimization of passive design strategies. By following the three steps of the integrated design method, it is possible to achieve an actual zero energy museum.

 

Type of assignment: Invited international competition