Music Base in Veszprém

The project location is Veszprém, a beautiful Hungarian town. As a reaction to current needs I wanted to create the house of music, a place where which helps local bands to start their career, and also has an important role in the town’s life, hosting events and building community.

Though the town has a vibrant cultural life in the summer, during the year the opportunities of quality entertainment for young people during the year are rather poor. Still, lot of them are involved in arts. There are several theatre companies, and many dance and musical groups, representing various dance and musical styles. For the last 25 years Veszprém hosted the popular Street Music Festival, which inspires lots of young people to play music. In recent times more than 20 bands are permanently active, and also a lot of occasional formations, the number is hardly estimable. Other artistic activities, like theatre and dance, and also classical music are practiced in organized companies and schools, with appropriate infrastructure. Contemporary music in this case is different: bands are completely on their own, and their facilities are limited. Finding the right spot to practice is hard in Veszprém: there are rooms for rent in limited number, and those which are available are located rather badly or not appropriate at all. Small bands happen to play in front of public and friends, but it is not easy to find the place: some pubs are open for this but too small, just like rehearsal rooms, and the town’s music club invites only those who are famous all over the country. I wanted to react on this situation by designing a place which could be the base for these bands, where they can practice and also play for audience, get to know each other more and create community. I wanted to create a place open for everyone interested in music, a place that is a usual spot for Friday nights, offering great programs in nice atmosphere, thus improving the town’s cultural life.