Hungarian Pavilion

Both the appearance of and use of materials in the Hungarian Pavilion embody one of the main trends in national architecture, which borrows from the carpentry and joinery of folk traditions (stables, barns, silos) as interpreted by the organic architecture of Károly Kós and Imre Makovecz.

It reflects on living nature, using both forms and materials that seek harmony through environmentally conscious architecture.

The shamanic drums at both ends of the building refer to the ancient roots and the mystical bond between humans and nature, while the central barrel is a symbol of abundance, easily associated with Noah’s Ark, the saviour of life. Atop it all sits the roof garden, showcasing the kaleidoscope of life. The ribs or staves stretching up to the sky past the garden could be part of a monumental skeleton, but at the same time show openness towards the sun, protecting the core like giant petals and leaves on a plant.

The first shamanic drum encompasses three levels of exhibition displays. Visitors can access the lower level from the outside, and then move on into the central space of the event room. The higher levels of the drum can be accessed from the direction of the central area. The central axis of the main facade houses a Tree of Life motif made of clear tubing. A closed system circulates a liquid symbolising the Hungarian thermal water treasures, flowing around the first drum and arriving on the level of the balcony. The third section of the building is the other shamanic drum, which houses an exhibition display on the ground floor, a kitchen on the second floor, and further exhibition space on the top floor.

In order to reduce energy requirements to a minimum, the building insulation is up to passive house specifications, the glass windows are triple glazed, and have added sun protection in areas where the sun will shine upon them. The internal spaces of the building can be ventilated naturally.

Applied building materials are mainly natural, sustainable materials with small ecological footprints. Also energy and time saving construction methods are used. The building produces no harmful emissions to either air or ground, neither during construction nor operation. The entire building (save for the foundation) is reusable. As per requirements of the tender, the Pavilion is made up of pre-manufactured, easily transportable elements that can be dis- and reassembled. This means that once the Expo is over, the Hungarian Pavilion will not become waste, but will be rebuilt in Szombathely at the Cavalry Barracks as a research centre.

Alakor, Hungarian Pavilion, Expo Milano 2015
Project Manager: Sándor Sárkány
Architect: Attila Ertsey
Landscape: Ágnes Herczegr
Project supervisor: György Stocker
Interior design: Lajos Tompos e Zsolt Bozsódi
Structures: Mihály Scharer
Plants: Béla Zöld Capo Progettitsta Installatore
Electric plant: Zoltán Tóth
Completion: 2015