“At last something is happening in the square”
Noémi Tóth
MúzeumCafé 14.
Zsolt Szécsi is the architect of the original plan. We are discussing the project, including the new parts which reach down to a level six metres below the surface. “The two plans are in symbiosis: many components have remained from the earlier plan and are fused with Tamás Karácsony’s, thus one design has emerged from the two.” Zsolt Szécsi’s activity is varied. One of his most important tasks is to coordinate the work of the earlier specialist designers (fire-protection experts, structural engineers, building service engineers, etc.) with reference to the whole building. His other jobs involve developing plans for the technological spaces – the kitchen, the restaurant and the plumbing units for the visitors’ centre. Szécsi summarises those aspects which have defined his work from the beginning. “According to the 1964 Venice Charter, it was an important goal for the new design to be entirely separate from the listed building – both in style and materials. Nevertheless, I think it well supplements and lives with it. It was also a requirement that the building designed by Albert Schickedanz should not be altered, and if something is added it should be done with the greatest humility. We continue to observe the existing vehicle and pedestrian traffic, yet sorting out Heroes’ Square has been waiting for 20 years,” he says, suddenly becoming rather sad. “Yet, there are plenty of ideas: it’s been suggested that the Fine Arts Museum and the Kunsthalle should be connected under Heroes’ Square, the integration of the old underground tunnel has been mentioned and the idea of building an underground car park below the square has also been discussed. Our plan has also included the idea of a proper reconstruction of the avenue.”