these reflective kiosks in budapest seamlessly blend into their historic surroundings

these reflective kiosks in budapest seamlessly blend into their historic surroundings

 

the new buda castle visitor center and infopoints are the perfect selfie mirrors

 

hello wood and BLOKK architect studio have recently completed the new visitor center and infopoints of the historic buda castle district in hungary. designed as fully reflective and near-perfect cubes, the structures blend seamlessly into their surroundings by mirroring back a clear image — making them perfect spots for passersby to snap a selfie. 

 

the use of mirror-like surfaces also comes from the client’s request to maintain the district’s cultural quality. in other words, the architects were tasked to expand the historic city quarter with contemporary buildings that did not break the existing architectural harmony; and what better way to respect the district than by reflecting it literally

buda castle visitor center and infopoints
the new visitor center | images © tamás bata, zsuzsa darab, máté lakos

 

 

a playful contrast: mirror-like exteriors elevated by warm-toned interiors

 

the 30 sqm visitor hub sits in the district’s center, right next to the buda castle, endowed with a design that fits and responds to its context. indeed, the pavilion was crowned with a tapered and entirely reflective roof, characteristic of the neighboring buildings  and serving as a modern nod to the heritage site. the infopoints, meanwhile, function as both information desks and souvenir shops scattered across three different locations.

 

but that’s not all; a playful contrast between the exterior and interior makes the visitor center and infopoints even more intriguing. the mirror-like façade’s cold feel is paired with a bright and warm interior defined by natural-colored pine plywood cladding. additionally, a skylight atop the visitor center ensures a generous inflow of natural light while emphasizing the monolithic appearance of the building.

buda castle visitor center and infopoints
no handles visible when doors are closed, giving the cubes a playful + chamelelon-like quality

 

 

for easy transport and on-site assembling, all structures were built out of four steel-framed modules lifted into place by a crane. the pavilions were first conceptualized by BLOKK architect studio (see more here), then implemented by hello wood (see works here). 

buda castle visitor center and infopoints
all infopoints function as information desks and souvenir shops

these reflective kiosks in budapest seamlessly blend into their historic surroundings
each pavilion serves as a perfect spot to snap a selfie

infopoint-hello-wood-designboom-full-1

these reflective kiosks in budapest seamlessly blend into their historic surroundings
the infopoints are scattered across three different locations

these reflective kiosks in budapest seamlessly blend into their historic surroundings
the warm interiors contrast the cold feel of the exteriors

 

 

 

project info:

 

name: buda castle visitor center and infopoints

location: buda castle district, budapest, hungary

architecture + concept: BLOKK architect studio | @blokk_architects

design + constructionhello wood | @hellowood

chief architect: sándor finta

lead designer: péter oravecz

development director: aladár csontos

team: tamás börzsei, nándor nagy, bulcsú szabó ( BLOKK architect studio)

client: castle integrated regional development center nonprofit ltd.

photography: tamás bata | @tamasbatazsuzsa darab | @zsuzsa.darabmáté lakos

 

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