Forest-embedded museum showcasing nature's bounty in a wooden setting
Go Ahead and Consent, Mate! Let's Talk Green History
Get ready to dive into a sustainable, woodland adventure! The international competition for the new Hungarian Natural History Museum's design nabbed the Danish office powerhouse Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) as the winner, with the proposed design set to transform Debrecen's centuries-old Great Forest. Let's take a peek at what's in store!
Environmentally-Friendly Showcase
BIG collaboration with Hungarian partner Vikár és Lukács resulted in a design that seems tailor-made for the museum's ideals. Zsolt Bernert, the museum's general director, described their ambition: "The Hungarian Natural History Museum will become the leading showcase for environmental protection, biological diversity, and sustainable development in Hungary." Expect close to half a million annual visitors!
The forest-based museum replaces the existing facility in Budapest, contributing to Debrecen's vision of becoming an important regional hub for education and culture by 2030. Nestled amid the Great Forest's leafy leisure destination, blessed with protected wildlife and flora, the new building will blend seamlessly with its natural surroundings.
Nature's Wonders, Celebrated Properly
Founder of BIG, Bjarke Ingels, referred to their winning design as a "crossing of paths and lines," promising a man-made hill on a forest clearing that complements the park environment's organic beauty. With a wooden structure, charred wood facade, and partial sunken or rising from the forest floor, the new building aims to harmonize with nature.
Three intersecting volumes will define the museum, shaped by the landscape and intended to offer unparalleled views over the city. Visitors approaching from any direction will be greeted by open spaces, winding forest paths, and captivating vistas, welcoming all by merging it with the urban fabric and surrounding nature.
Forest & City Meeting Spot
The southern plaza signifies the museum's arrival zone, doubling as a communal gathering place for city activities and museum goers. The central reception hall serves as a focal point, granting glimpses into the surrounding exhibitions. Permanent galleries will occupy five radial areas, with one dedicated to temporary exhibits and public programs.
The upper floor boasts a library and restaurant offering panoramic views of Debrecen's woodlands. Meanwhile, the basement is expected to house a learning center equipped with workshops, play areas, and research labs designed to engage students, families, and staff.
Wooden Architecture with an Educational Twist
Hanna Johansson, a BIG partner, outlined their vision for the museum as "an integrated part of its surroundings, shaped by and contributing to the surrounding landscape." Harmonizing the building with its wild surroundings is key, focusing on sustainability beyond merely preserving the site, aiming to regenerate and enhance it.
The timber building, encased in locally sourced, charred wooden panels, will blur the lines between architecture and wilderness. The project's sustainable ethos highlights the building's commitment to preserving and enhancing its natural surroundings.
A Museum Serving Nature
While the building’s design aims to ensure minimal ecological impact, it also goes beyond mere environmental conservation. The concept plans to restore and improve the site's ecology, enhancing biodiversity while seamlessly integrating with the landscape. The timber structure, green sloping rooftops, and natural vegetation within and beyond the site offer a delightful array of public spaces for relaxation and gatherings year-round.
Additionally, the design incorporates sustainable technology, with ground-source heating systems, geothermal energy, and solar panels to ensure a balanced indoor climate throughout the year.
Bjarke Ingels' personal dedication to natural history adds fervor to the project, as he named his eldest son Darwin after the famed evolutionary biologist. The construction of Hungary's new natural history museum marks the beginning of an exciting journey toward sustainable architectural innovation and ecological harmony.
Stay tuned for more updates as BIG's marvellous design comes to life, bringing the Great Forest closer to the public while preserving its beauty and promoting sustainable development for future generations.
Read more about the project in the UBM Magazine, the platform for real estate, urban planning, and design.
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- The International Natural History Museum's design, won by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), aspires to become a leading showcase for environmental protection, biological diversity, and sustainable development in Hungary, attracting close to half a million visitors annually.
- With a focus on sustainable living, BIG's design for the new museum, promoted harmoniously within nature, incorporates a wooden structure, charred wood facade, and timber building, all encased in locally sourced materials, aiming to regenerate and enhance the surrounding landscape.
- In addition to its commitment to environmental sustainability, the museum's design includes sustainable technology such as ground-source heating systems, geothermal energy, and solar panels to ensure a balanced indoor climate, further emphasizing its dedication to promoting sustainable development for future generations.
