Bbu Library and Student Centre

The campus is located in a residential area of Budapest, characterized by housing blocks and a suburban layout within an intensive green space. The reorganization and the extensions of the new Library wing and the Student Center spaces resulted in an open and inclusive institution complex which is organically interconnected with the campus, highlighting local values and shaping the identity of the university. The new garden and wing as new open and closed community areas, library and study zones offer suitable spaces to accommodate different use for the university and its neighbourhood.

The remodeling of the campus garden oriented wing of the dormitory provides the possibility to develop a more transparent, direct and accessible circulation system within the university, and create a more organic and permeable connection between the educational wing, the dormitory and the new wing. In addition to strengthening interconnectedness within the university, the interior courtyards are now liberated from the additions that disrupted their spatial proportions and environmental quality. The result is a revitalized and continuous green surface that highlights the newly defined campus garden off the local street. The redesigned ground floor spaces provide an accessible and direct connection to the existing building and are complemented by a redefined main entrance, reception area and seating booths. In addition, they provide entry points to the gymnasium and the dormitory spaces. The newly added wing contains the cafeteria, a lecture hall and the upper levels of the library.

The red brick cladding of the new wing corresponds to the cladding of the existing structures, whereas the delicate surfaces of the porch in front of the dormitory and the columns and cornices of the library are made of fine concrete. The light grey color of the hidden textile shading matches the color of the concrete surfaces and provides solar protection to the glazed exterior of the library. When lowered, the external shading system lends the new wing a uniform, relief-like appearance, subtly diversified by the rhythm of the pillars. Neutral, subdued tones and natural materials counterpoint the vibrant array of books and furnishings in the interior space and the diverse activities of its users.