Debrecen has always been a symbol of progress, and now the past and future of transportation will find a new home here, as the city has become the new star of the automotive industry, said the State Secretary for Architecture of the Ministry of Construction and Transport at the awards ceremony for the Debrecen Museum of Transportation design competition, held at the Kölcsey Center.
Regarding the competition, which was launched in July, he emphasized that construction and transport have been intertwined since ancient times. These two sectors define human culture, and both are necessary to build a livable world, said Regő Lánszki.
He explained that it is a matter of national strategy to build a museum near one of the country’s largest cities, which could become a full-day tourist attraction, drawing tens of thousands of visitors who, in addition to the sights of Hortobágy and Debrecen, will also be able to learn about the traditions and latest innovations in transportation.
The Museum of Transportation in Debrecen will have a significance that it never could have had in Budapest: it will not just be one museum among many, but a jewel and pride of the city, all of Eastern Hungary, and even the Partium region, Lánszki Regő emphasized.
The new, 14,000-square-meter Museum of Transportation is planned to be built on the outskirts of Debrecen, on a more than 6-hectare site near the new BMW car factory. In this context, the State Secretary highlighted that this location allows the museum to be more than just a site displaying Hungary’s technical progress. It should also showcase the latest results and innovations in Hungarian research and development, as well as modern forms of artificial intelligence, he elaborated.
He mentioned that among the 9 winners of the 18 entries in the competition, there were several firms that had not previously had the opportunity to prove themselves in the design of such a significant building.
Domonkos Schneller, Director General of the Hungarian Museum of Science, Technology, and Transport, emphasized that a good museum building must meet several criteria. In addition to preserving artifacts, the visitor route must be logical, the building must be economically sustainable, environmentally friendly, and the exterior should also hint at the building’s internal function. These criteria were considered in the evaluations, he said.
László Papp, Mayor of Debrecen (Fidesz-KDNP), in his welcoming speech, quoted Minister of Construction and Transport János Lázár, who said that we are witnessing the transformation of Debrecen into a co-capital. According to the mayor, this will dissolve the centralization that has characterized Hungary since the Treaty of Trianon, with Debrecen being a strong ally of the government in this effort.
“The city will become Hungary’s new industrial and economic center by the early 2030s, increasing fivefold the economic performance it had in the early 2020s,” emphasized László Papp.
If the project is realized, alongside the building of the Natural History Museum, an iconic structure could be created in Debrecen that would enhance the city architecturally, he added.
Regarding the competition, the Ministry of Construction and Transport stated in its announcement that the goal of the competition is to present as many new ideas and perspectives as possible, allowing even smaller firms and architecture students to showcase their talent.
The announcement highlights that out of the 18 plans, 9 designs were awarded by the jury: some received purchase and special purchase prizes for having certain valuable elements, while first, second, and third prizes were awarded to the designs that best met the conceptual expectations.
The third prize was awarded to DAW Építész Stúdió Kft., the second prize to DPI-Design Kft., and the jury found the design of the Debrecen-based Archiko Kft. architecture firm to be the best.
It was announced that the Ministry of Construction and Transport will purchase several different plans from the competition, from which a detailed planning program suitable for everyone can later be created. Based on the various proposed solutions, a detailed planning program will be prepared, which could then lead to a design competition being announced.
The Hungarian Museum of Science, Technology And Transport may move to Debrecen
(MTI)
Picture: Debrecen, October 16, 2024. The design created by the winning firm, Archiko Kft., was presented at the award ceremony for the architectural design competition of the new Hungarian Museum of Transportation in Debrecen on October 16, 2024. MTI/Zsolt Czeglédi
