Project Name: Bálna
Our Role: Interior transformation of an existing building
Location: 1093 Budapest, Fővám tér 11–12
Year: 2022
Status: Concept
Size: 11,772 m²
Bálna Budapest – Rethinking Tourism and Cultural Spaces
Located on the banks of the Danube, Bálna Budapest stands as one of the city’s most iconic contemporary buildings. The redevelopment introduces new functions and renewed vitality, with the aim of transforming the building into a key hub for tourism, culture, and community life. The concept is built on the symbiosis of openness, dynamism, and water-inspired motifs — creating a sequence of spaces that evoke both the flow of the river and the vibrant rhythm of Budapest.
Ground Floor – Tourism Center and Travel Hub
The ground floor has been reprogrammed with entirely new functions, including a tourist information center, an airport check-in point, and a Mahart shipping waiting area and ticket office.
The spatial design is inspired by movement and flow: undulating light lines, organically shaped counters, and water-inspired digital installations create a strong connection to the nearby river.
Light-toned perforated surfaces and living greenery emphasize the harmony between nature and technology, while providing visitors with an intuitive and easily navigable spatial experience.
Atrium – The Heart of Bálna
The central, double-height atrium has become the focal point of the revitalization. Its new identity is defined by the concept of a “water corridor”: a suspended LED installation resembling a floating water surface combines natural light and motion, becoming the defining visual element of the space.
Green planting islands, wooden seating elements, and daylight filtering from above together create a calm, inspiring environment — where the noise of the city softens and the atmosphere of the Danube becomes almost tangible.
Upper Levels – Cultural and Educational Spaces
The upper floors are fully dedicated to cultural, educational, and community programs, featuring an auditorium, exhibition spaces, and workshop areas. The design continues to blend the building’s original industrial character with contemporary, light-toned materials and natural textures.
Gallery corridors overlooking the atrium visually connect the different functional zones, while natural daylight and integrated greenery permeate the entire interior, reinforcing a cohesive and vibrant spatial experience.
Sky Bar – Above the City
The rooftop Sky Bar stands as one of the highlights of the project. Set beneath a futuristic glass dome, the space offers panoramic city views by day and a warm, atmospheric environment illuminated by soft lighting in the evening.
Perforated bronze-clad elements, a spiraling staircase, and diffused lighting create an elegant yet dynamic ambiance. Lounge areas enriched with greenery become spaces for relaxation, social interaction, and gastronomic experiences — a fitting culmination of Bálna’s new multifunctional identity.
