Duna Passage

The Duna Passage has one of the best locations along the river Danube among the strategically determining southern development areas in Budapest, Hungary. While reaching the city centre, on the eastern bank of the river Danube from the south the buildings of Duna Passage are going to be the first landmarks to be seen. Duna Passage is a brown-field development replacing a small concrete mixing plant and other industrial factories of the site. Since the site is not embedded in the urban tissue of the city, there is no significant built environment to relate, the architectural language of the new development has to be defined separately.

Layout Principles.
- to define a secondary pedestrian axis
-to loosen up the layout with local openings and passage ways

- to enhance the perpendicular axis to the riverbank
- to emphasise the connection to the river Danube

Structural Principles.
- to emphasise the panoramic view of the river
1 Building A with the volume
2 Building B1 and B2 with the detailing of the facades
3 Building C1 and C2 with the configuration of outdoor spaces

concept overview

building B1

Building B1 and B2 - according to their volume - are optimised for multi-tenant purpose. In compliance with local Building Codes the layout of the buildings is strongly defined. The buildings have to be arranged around two court d’honneur like courtyards, one facing the river, the other the opposite direction. These courtyards not only determine the basic volume of the buildings but already give certain characteristics to the buildings.

concept diagram Building B1&B2

The volumes are very simple, the architectural identity of the buildings is delivered by the movement of the structural walls of the facades. The architectural concept is based on a single movement – the surface of the facades is pushed in on one side and in the same time the volume comes out on the other side. These little movements give a playful rhythm and character to the buildings while the design is able to keep the layouts as efficient and simple as possible.

Facades.
The scale of the development compared to other developments in Budapest is recognizable in itself. There is no need to deal with typical block sizes, elevation surfaces. The volumetric play of the buildings advocates a simple and generous facade configuration.

The facade design proves that it is possible to create an impressive facade with both architecturally and technically simple details. The elevations are based on a regular grid system, which does not only follow the gentle parallel movements of the volume but is also able to enhance it.

The buildings are basically clad with white glossy acrylic sheets which from afar recall the vision of boats floating on the water. Closer to the river the grid loosens up and also draws the attention to the panoramic view of the river.

the public square

Building C1 and C2 are multi-tenant residential buildings arranged by the new public square of the development. In order to maximize the solar penetration – to both the flats and the new square – the buildings are divided into five separate blocks. With this gesture it is possible to optimize the number of flats with significant view and/or good orientation.

concept diagram Building C1&C2

The volume of the buildings is defined by the gently curved structural element of the terraces. The curved terrace edges give a light impression to the building, while the layout of the flats can be functional and efficient in the same time. The blocks are joined together by a strongly formed reinforced concrete canopy. This canopy determines the identity of the apartment buildings, it marks out the entrances of the blocks, separates the retail areas, part of the landscape architecture of the public square. It creates an individual unit together with the square along the promenade connecting the train station with the riverbank.

the canopy

building C1

Duna Passage, Budapest, Hungary
office and residential complex - concept design

position: project architect

design: 2010
gross floor area: 100 000 sqm
architecture: Tiba Architects Studio
Tiba János, Matúz Melinda - Beszeda Zoltán, Bozsik Zoltán, Erdei István, Kovács Gergely, Mangel János, Perényi Lóránt
developer: WING Zrt.