“Inspiration is enough to give expression to the tone in singing, especially when the song is without words.” - Franz Liszt

The House of Hungarian Music (HoHM) is envisioned by our firm to be a destination that will be as distinctive in form as the Hungarian Music it represents. 
An iconic structure, HoHM will inspire visitors before they even set foot inside the space. It has been created with the intent of being a catalyst for education and communication of Hungarian musical history and genres including Classical, Folk, Contemporary, Pop and Operetta as well as the physics of sound and the physiological nature of hearing. HoHM will take the curious on a journey by using a series of highly experiential design responses merged with the architectural fabric of the building to connect with the senses of touch, sight and sound rather than simply plinthed artifacts.

Through time the parallels between Music and Architecture, two practices based on rhythm, proportion and harmony have been well documented and quoted, most famously by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe who noted “Music is liquid architecture, Architecture is frozen music.” This bond which is brought together by an underlying code of Mathematics and Geometry has been explored by our firm, in the process unearthing a unique concept which informs the HoHM’s design, the Gyroid.

The Gyroid contains neither straight lines nor planar symmetries creating dynamic territory for Architectural exploration. For HoHM the single surface shape has been inflated and manipulated to reveal a series of organic and highly flexible spaces, ideal for exhibitions, installations and performance. 

Fragments of glass splinter HoHM’s form to create high levels of natural light as well as an opportunity to view patrons make their way up the building’s circulation from the surrounding landscape. Visitors are drawn directly in to the Center via the park’s primary axis, each space is seamlessly connected by a continuous ramp which snakes its way up the structure. The incorporation of recessed floor slabs at various points within the space creating a series of moments where visitors can view and appreciate the building’s unique shape.

HoHM’s staff have also been given an enormous amount of consideration and our desire to provide a healthy and enjoyable working environment for employees has resulted in office spaces being located on level 4 rather than on lower levels which is typical in many cultural facilities. This provides staff with ample amounts of sunlight and views and a workspace they enjoy every single day.

Behind the structure lies a modern amphitheatre built in to the landscape ideal for outdoor musical events and performances. HoHM’s unique shape will not only serve as a backdrop for such events but also an acoustic wall to improve the patron’s experience.

Our environmental designer has outlined a number of key points regarding the sustainability of HoHM which we have included in the associated diagram. In conjunction with these points we have a particular interest in retaining as much of the surrounding flora and fauna as possible.

Although our architectural response is far from conservative, we believe the first space to be dedicated solely to Hungary’s musical culture should not be silenced through its design. It should be a bold, contemporary facility which inspires and excites visitors from across the globe that are welcomed in to HoHM.