AUSTRIA

1 Twentieth-century Hungary was literally an incubator for the world’s most talented artists. Hungary was the birthplace of not only Bauhaus masters Marcel Breuer and artist László Moholy-Nagy, but also Op-Art and kinetic art pioneer Victor Vasarely, whose museum in Budapest is well worth a visit. 2 Before the war, Lupa Island on the Danube near Budapest was a weekend paradise for the Hungarian elite. A symbol of the Hungarian modernist movement, Lajos Kozma’s 1935 house has appeared in numerous international publications. 3 Dramatically dominating the broad Danube in the country’s capital, the Gothic Revival Parliament building was built in 1885–1904 by architect Imre Steindl. 4 The first-rate design of the Budapest Metro is certainly an outstanding achievement of contemporary Hungarian architecture. The concrete stations want for neither generous proportions nor a strong sense of artistry. The studio responsible for the stops along the new M4 line was Spora Architects. 5 The Hungarians do love their Balaton. Recreation and tourism in and along the lake demand modern infrastructure, such as Studio A4’s nicely executed multifunctional pavilion. 6 The most celebrated Hungarian architect of the twentieth century is Imre Makovecz, whose wooden buildings merged folk architecture with organic postmodern art – as can be seen in his church in Siófok, consecrated in 1990.

Mistudio

31b Apartment, Budapest

Classical yet modern; generous yet pure. That’s the breathtaking interior of an apartment in a 1909 Art Nouveau building in Budapest’s District II. The architects at Mistudio achieved a strong effect without fundamentally changing the original layout, which naturally adapted to a contemporary lifestyle. The selection of materials and colors harks back to the 1910s and is based on subtle contrasts. The Italian Alfalux terrazzo matches the large blue and beige bathroom tiles and fitted customized oak furniture. The granite counter in the kitchen is almost artlike. The Artemide brand lights pair well with the contemporary paintings and prints on the walls.

Kett Pera Studio

A15 Villa, Budapest

This brick building was declared the Best Single-Family House in the prestigious House of the Year competition. Located in the hills of Buda west of Budapest, in a neighborhood dotted with historic villas, the A15 Villa fits in well with its use of fine materials and clean lines. Geometric openings are cut into the monolithic construction, which copies the complex topography of the parcel, breaking up the building and bringing light into its rooms. Although the house is quite exposed, it is protected from its surroundings.

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Napur Architect

Museum of Ethnography, Budapest

Since opening last May, the Museum of Ethnography has collected several well-deserved awards. Located in Budapest City Park, it is part of Liget Budapest, Europe’s largest cultural urban development project. In the international competition for the museum, Naput Architect beat out such names as Zaha Hadid and BIG. The winning project is marked by its dynamic yet simple design, harmonizing with the park environment while communicating with the urban texture of the surrounding area. Gently curving lines allow the building to act as a gateway connecting the city with the park. Sixty percent of the building is underground; the elegant roof and transparent above-ground structure allow it to blend with the surroundings in terms of scale. The roof has also become a pleasant community space.