Museum of Fine Arts plans elaborate underground extension

Budapest's Szépművészeti Múzeum (Museum of Fine Arts) will be enlarged by 6,000 square meters of underground space over two stories, reports index.hu. The complex will be built beneath Hősök tere (Heroes' Square), based on the design of Ybl-award winning architect Tamás Karácsony.

Index

A cross-section of the building design of the structure to be constructed under Budapest's Museum of Fine Arts.

The Ft 3.8 billion (€15,200,000) project will include coffee shops, a restaurant, the museum shop and an area of 1,200 square meters specially designed for featured exhibitions.

The complex will be situated in such a way that even the lower corridors will receive direct sunlight. Hősök tere itself will not be significantly altered, with only a glass "cube" marking the entrance to the underground area. Karácsony stressed that he deliberately chose a restrained and "humble" style, avoiding any spectacular elements. "The entrance is important, but it only wants to play a supporting role," he said. Another, even more muted entrance will be placed in the nearby Városliget (City Park), and a third entrance is in the plans as well.

Museum head László Baán has been planning to expand the "Szépmű" since his appointment three years ago. His objective has been helped - and made necessary - by the remarkably high visitor numbers for the numerous temporary exhibitions he has organized.

Another reason for the extension is the changing nature of temporary exhibitions, and the belief that modern museums should also function as meeting places, cultural forums and educational domains. Lecture halls, computer infrastructure, stores, coffee shops and restaurants are therefore included in the proposed extension.

The new complex will be complete by 2010, and, although the construction works will be executed from above ground, the museum will remain open. Meanwhile, during the work visitors will have an opportunity to take a look at the works in progress.

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