Imre Makovecz Budapest
A building as a living creature
I like unusual and rare samples of architectural gems. When you walk off the beaten path in Budapest you may find such hidden gems if you look up. I mean it. This is not an ordinary house. From an architectural point of view, it is called palimpsest: a combination of two completely different styles or ages. You can notice the difference yourself: the strict classicist lower part built in the 1850s contrasts with the colorful and somewhat frivolous mix of modernity and something so familiar.
Some compare it to Indian temples, some see parody of Ancient Greece, and some see cucumbers or corn. In fact, the latter is closest to the truth as this unusual construction was built by Imre Makovecz, a Hungarian architect who worked in the Organic architecture style. This mesmerizing style is inspired by nature, folk culture, pagan traditions and beliefs, with a pinch of ancient mythology. Imre was mainly working during the era of social realism with its boring and unified style that prevailed in socialist Hungary. His works were a shocking opposition to mainstream architecture, which can be one of the reasons he created only a few buildings in Budapest, as the majority of his works can be found in other places inside and outside of Hungary. The one in Szentkirály St. is the most central, and if you spot it, you can consider yourself lucky. Imre treated his creations as living creatures, so if you look long enough maybe you can see them moving.
About this spot
Budapest, Szentkirályi u. 18, 1088 Hungary
- 247
HUF
free
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