Corvinus Gellért Campus,
design: PLANT - Atelier Peter Kis
Hungary is home to the new campus of Corvinus University in Budapest, the oldest university in the country. The PLANT – Atelier Peter Kis studio, selected through an architectural competition, was responsible for the project. The result is one of the most sustainable academic buildings in the country, combining a modern approach to architecture with functional solutions to support the academic environment.
Budapest's Corvinus Gellért campus - the revitalization of the existing structure allowed the creation of a modern facility in an economical and sustainable way, while maintaining high standards
photo by Zalán Péter Salát and Csaba Villányi © PLANT - Atelier Peter Kis
One of the most sustainable
academic buildings in Hungary
Budapest's Corvinus University, the oldest economic university in Hungary, is located in 19th-century buildings on the Pest side of the city. For a long time, the university had planned to expand with a modern edifice, but Pest's dense development made the project difficult. In the end, it was decided to adapt the former headquarters of the State Administration College, located on the opposite side of the Danube. The revitalization of the existing structure made it possible to create a modern facility in an economical and sustainable way, while maintaining high standards.
Corvinus Gellért campus in Budapest - cross-section of the building
© PLANT - Atelier Peter Kis
creating a space
conducive to collaboration and flexibility
Before proceeding, the project went through an extensive consultation process with the academic community. Corvinus University set its sights on creating a space where students would feel at ease and thrive in a modern learning environment that went beyond the traditional lecturer-student interaction model. The new vision called for the design of flexible, collaborative spaces that could adapt to the changing needs of students, offering a comfortable environment for learning and working, both onsite and remotely.
Corvinus Gellért campus in Budapest - floor plan
© PLANT - Atelier Peter Kis
concept of space:
towers, terraces and their role in architecture
The goal of the project was to preserve the distinctive form of the building, which gradually rises toward the hill, blending seamlessly into the landscape of the surrounding neighborhood. The building, much of which is glazed, has a terraced structure that opens up the space to the outdoors. A plaza in front of the facility provides convenient access to the sports hall and leads to a staircase that directs visitors to a two-story space flanked by an overhanging arcade. The covered portion of the entrance features sculptures by Attila Csörgő. The arcade, reminiscent of a spacious corridor, was supported by slender columns and covered by a green roof.
Corvinus Gellért campus in Budapest - the glazed facades are covered by an openwork concrete structure
photo by Zalán Péter Salát and Csaba Villányi © PLANT - Atelier Peter Kis
The two towers that emerge from the terraced body of the building balance the wide, horizontal mass of the structure. They have been named with the letters "J" and "K" - from the Hungarian words "Jövő" (Future) and "Közösség" (Community). The smaller "J" tower has been designated for educational spaces, including collaboration zones, lecture halls, rooms for individual work, and executive training areas. Tower "K" houses academic rooms on four floors.
The Corvinus Gellért campus in Budapest - the towers are named with the letters "J" and "K" - after the Hungarian words "Jövő" (Future) and "Közösség" (Community)
photo by Zalán Péter Salát and Csaba Villányi © PLANT - Atelier Peter Kis
The auditorium is the centerpiece of the interior, which has been surrounded by spacious staircases. Skylights placed within them provide natural light to the circulation areas, bringing daylight into the building.
Corvinus Gellért campus in Budapest - cross-section of the building
© PLANT - Atelier Peter Kis
modern academic space:
comfort, functionality and integration
The university's new dormitory was built following extensive consultation with students, who attached particular importance to the comfort and functionality of the space. There are spacious common areas on each floor, and the rooms are designed as double and triple units with private bathrooms. The common areas are conducive to integration, offering spaces for cooking, eating meals together and hosting movie nights.
Corvinus Gellért campus in Budapest
© PLANT - Atelier Peter Kis
On the lower floor of the upper tower are two specialized learning spaces. The first is a reading area, filled with natural light and featuring extensive bookshelves. The second is a state-of-the-art data analysis laboratory, equipped with advanced workstations. The top floor of the tower houses a café and professors' suites, which offer panoramic views of the city. The facade of this part of the building is characterized by a wavy form and shades of gold.
Budapest's Corvinus Gellért campus - two towers that emerge from the terraced body of the building balance the building's wide, horizontal body
photo by Balázs Turós © PLANT - Atelier Peter Kis
Corvinus University campus:
a place conducive to learning, collaboration and development
Corvinus University's new campus was designed with the future in mind, betting on innovative solutions that meet modern educational needs. Prominent features include a reading zone that promotes concentration, and a data analysis lab - a space dedicated to data visualization that supports both students and faculty in exploring data science. The campus also offers numerous common spaces and sports facilities, which were missing from the university's previous infrastructure.
The Corvinus Gellért campus in Budapest
photo by Zalán Péter Salát and Csaba Villányi © PLANT - Atelier Peter Kis
From the beginning, the designers and investors aimed to meet LEED Gold certification, which would make the building the first educational facility in the country with this distinction. In addition to energy efficiency, the facility supports this goal on many levels. Preserving the existing structure significantly reduced the carbon footprint, and as an urban building, priority was given to bicycle traffic instead of cars. The project also included effective waste management, minimizing water consumption, and protecting the historic park while maximizing the preservation of green spaces.
Elaborated: Anastazja Dżupina
Illustrations provided courtesy of PLANT - Atelier Peter Kis.
