The House of Hungarian Music should represent a synthesis of all of the emotional responses related to our experience of music, including those intangible and often personal references that shape our individual connection to and enjoyment of music. The origins of Hungarian folk music are unique in the region and provide an interesting point of reference. Shared by the entire community, this indigenous music may be considered a great equalizer, an art form that transcends all socioeconomic boundaries and is a common cultural thread to all Hungarians. As such, this music is intrinsic to the Hungarian identity; however, our understanding of the meaning in music is not universal, despite a composer’s intent. This relative openness to interpretation and freedom from convention should inform our design approach for the HHM.

The ubiquitous joy found in music is an emotional experience, one that can be transformational. A moment of musical invention can be the trigger that elicits an emotional response and sparks our most meaningful memories. The expression of emotions is an essential quality for a building that celebrates music, and not unlike in the works of Bartok and Kodaly, an inventive expression of Hungarian culture should also be intrinsic to the design of the HHM.

Design Concept

We thought about the whimsical forms and shapes familiar to us that reference music: convex and concave arcs, complex curves, flutes, and tangent transitions could be assembled to define the building geometry in plan and section. These are the abstract geometries of music, and represent a visual catalogue of forms seen in string, horn, and percussion instruments, and even in the clef from musical notation. As we also associate these shapes and forms with music itself, we imagine the building can use such forms to create a repository of our collective visual memory; one that will invite a variety of emotional connections to the building.

We prefer to distil the building form from a collection of ideas and metaphors. As such, the building does not have a singular meaning, but, a complex ensemble of metaphors, visual cues, and visual references that will allow people to find their own unique connection. Frequent visitors will get to know the building like a great piece of music; it’s less obvious references and qualities revealing themselves over time, while new visitors will be presented with a variety of impressions. To fulfil its pedagogical function, legibility to the widest breadth of visitors must be a critical aspect of the experience.

The building should have pronounced sculptural qualities, yet it’s also important for the building to create space within the site. This led us to consider a u-shaped plan, as this geometry naturally creates space within the bend. We then composed the massing with a series of curved tube-like volumes, stacked upon one another, each one unique, bent around a series of focal points to create cantilevers in areas, and setbacks in others. Each u-shaped volume represents a virtual movement, positioned freely in space, like notes on a chart. The individual movements meet at a single tangent point, and then bend away from each other to form a composition that is an expression of the inherent energy in music. This contrast of relative calm at the tangent point and the dynamic movement away is a musical quality legible in the composition. To help develop a visual hierarchy within the massing, we have utilized these same geometries to transition from the curved sections of the walls to the end conditions.

From within the cantilevered 2nd floor, a sculptural stair extends down to grade. The complex twisting movements of the stair represent the musical “hook” or the “motif” as it is known in classical music. This element is the physical and conceptual tie that binds the composition into a harmonious and balanced whole. The twisting form is a self-contained object, clad in hardwood, and fabricated by craftsmen. Not unlike the inherent craft of a hand-made instrument, the stair is imbued with personality, and an intangible musical quality.