Project Name: FŐMTERV
Our Role: Lobby and façade revitalization
Location: 1024 Budapest, Lövőház utca 37.
Year: 2021
Status: Completed
Size: 890 m²
FACADE
Walking through the historic districts of Budapest, one rarely reflects on how deeply the city’s past is rooted in the era of the Industrial Revolution. Along Margit Boulevard, in the area bordered by Lövőház Street, Kisrókus Street, and Marczibányi Square, András Mechwart — then director of the Ganz Works — established an electrical factory in 1878. In the late 19th century, this area had a strongly industrial character, with the Ganz foundry operating across the boulevard.
Over time, modernization and urban development transformed the area, giving rise to one of Budapest’s most innovative public parks — Millenáris Park — where former industrial buildings were reimagined with new functions.
The Modern Rehabilitation of the FŐMTERV Building
The building at Lövőház utca 37., home to FŐMTERV, had long remained outside this wave of modernization. However, in 2024, the rehabilitation of its northeast façade was finally realized. The primary design objective was to create a contemporary façade that resonates with the adjacent park while aligning in both function and form with the surrounding architectural context.
The renewed façade now confidently faces the park, combining contextual sensitivity with a modern and innovative approach. A new aluminum cladding system — composed of both perforated and solid elements — redefines the appearance of the northeast elevation. Windows within the central and right-side structural bays were fully replaced, maintaining the original proportions and divisions while introducing a contemporary execution. The ground floor restaurant’s double-leaf glazed entrance was also upgraded.
Aesthetics and Functionality of the New Façade
A key priority throughout the design process was ensuring a seamless integration between the new intervention and the retained historic façade elements. The aim was to achieve a composition that is both clean and visually engaging.
The central window strip, belonging to the stairwell, remains unobstructed, while the flanking window zones — serving storage and mechanical functions — are screened by perforated, spatially articulated “ribbon” elements. These dynamic layers not only provide a fresh and contemporary identity, but also contribute functionally by enhancing the building’s depth, articulation, and overall spatial perception.
Play of Light and Shadow
During the day, the façade is animated by the changing play of light and shadow created by the movement of the sun, offering a constantly evolving and dynamic visual experience. At night, RGB-W façade lighting further enhances the building’s appearance, adding a new dimension to its identity.
The neutral white surface of the façade allows it to be easily transformed through light, enabling subtle or expressive color variations. For special occasions, pre-programmed lighting scenarios can be activated, adapting the building’s appearance to specific events and making it stand out even more prominently within its urban context.
Design Concept and Constraints
From the outset, it became clear that achieving a true transformation of the building’s character would require more than a simple recoloring or window replacement. The selection of materials was therefore defined early in the design process.
The building’s structural characteristics — particularly the articulated façade divided by reinforced concrete columns — significantly influenced both dimensional and detailing possibilities. The widest column spacing served as the basis for the design logic, with all elements proportionally aligned to it. Material constraints further determined that each structural bay would accommodate four vertical “ribbon” elements rather than two.
Additional technical challenges included integrating lightning protection systems within the new façade and concealing existing exterior electrical cabinets behind the cladding.
The renovated façade not only offers a renewed aesthetic experience but also contributes functionally to the urban landscape. Through the interplay of light and shadow, combined with innovative lighting solutions, the building presents a dynamic and engaging presence both day and night — enriching Budapest’s contemporary architectural identity.
Lobby and Boardroom
The existing lobby and ground floor areas were revitalized without significant changes to their original functions. The design concept draws inspiration from the perforated metal language of the new façade. To create a more welcoming interior atmosphere, this cooler metallic aesthetic was balanced with warm wood finishes.
An important objective was also to introduce FŐMTERV’s brand colors into the interior, with the characteristic red accent subtly enriching the spaces.
In the boardroom, outdated audiovisual systems were replaced with a modern video wall, capable of supporting a wide range of functions — from conferences and video calls to the presentation of technical drawings — meeting the demands of contemporary professional use.
