The city of Pécs became the holder of the European Capital of Culture (ECF) title in 2010. Investments related to the program series were started. Its largest project was the reconstruction of the Zsolnay factory. A new chapter began in the history of the quarter, which was united with the name of the city.

Much of the buildings were out of use due to technological change and the gradual decline in production. Their cultural exploitation was aroused earlier, but there was no change mostly for financial reasons. The international open design contest was issued in January 2008 by the Municipality of Pécs MJV. At the design contest, our office, the MCXVI Architects won the 1st prize and was invited to prepare the plans. Separate design teams (10 architects teams) developed each building to provide a high level architectural and technical solution for a task of varying size and complexity. The main point in choosing the architects was to have harmony between the architect and the building, this way, every building found his own architect.

The various functions of the Zsolnay quarter can be based on the diversity imagined in it. The quarter was divided into four separate yet related subunits during the planning process:

Artisan’s quarter: The most impressive buildings, richly decorated with the glazed ceramic tiles, such as Zsolnay family and factory history, Art Nouveau Café, event halls, Handicrafts Street, Residences, and Art Auxiliary Affaires were placed here.

Creation District: It was created by redesigning the former pyrogranite plant and its surroundings, where exhibitions, workshops and art houses host contemporary art works, creative workshops, youth events, rehearsals and event rooms took place.

Family and Children Quarter: The soul of the area will be the Bóbita Puppet Theater in the Green House (former DO-ZSO), which offers colourful programs for children and adults in its new location. In the quarter, an interactive scientific and technical exhibition, craftsmanships, family playgrounds, open-air stage will make visitor’s stay enjoyable.

University district: The buildings of the Zsolnay Cultural Quarter, which are separated by Route 6, are occupied by the institutes of the PTE Faculty of Arts, creating an ideal venue for the establishment of a high-level art education base.

Architects:

Artisan’s quarter buildings:
E8-11, 48 – Residential accommodation, shops, greenhouse
architect designer: István Lukáts, János Kis

E12-15 – Offices, Eozin Restaurant, Wine cellar, Production history exhibition
architect designer: Kata Csaba
architect: László F. Rádóczi
architect: Bálint Csóka, Rita Madarasi Papp, Tamás Robotka, Dénes Kovács, András Köves, Csilla Bokor

E16-18 Creative Incubator House, Miniature Manufactory
architect designer: Kata Csaba
architect: László Demeter
architect: Bence Balogh, Slovakian János

E17-19 Design Center, Guest House
architect designer: Gábor Helfrich, Péter Konrád

Buildings and Family Quarter:
E24 Collection Gyugyi
architect designer: Zoltán Laczó
architect: Balázs Barna, Tibor Pálóczi

E26,27,28,78 Cultural Center of Pécs E78
architect designer: János Pintér Tamás, Papp Glória, Tamás Mórocz
architect: Gábor Hajdu, János Szlovák, Mihály Kanyó

E30 Bóbita Puppet Theater
architect designer: Bálint Kamarás, Attila Molnos, Attila Szilvási
architect: Attila Bende

E31 Pécs Gallery, Planetarium, Science and Technique Exhibition
architect designer: János Pintér Tamás
architect: Ágota Demeter
architect: Dénes Kovács, Péter Krajcsó

Buildings of the University Quarter:
E01 Menza and bridge
architect designer: László Herczeg
architect: Gábor Hajdu, Gergely Álmos

E02-22 Music School, Doctoral School, Department of Ceramics
architect designer: László Pethő
architect: Barbara Tolnay, Zsófia Molnár
architect: Zsuzsanna Végh, Zsuzsanna Nagy, András Göde, Béla Gál

E25 Media Communications Department
architect designer: Gábor Sztojka, Marianna Koós
architect: Eszter Donkó

E32-33 Institute of Visual Arts, Library
architect designer: László Herczeg
architect: Mónika Weichinger, Melinda Borsos
architect: András Kunczi, Balázs Mechle, Gábor Rantal

E34-74 Sculpture Department
architect designer: Tamás Somogyi, Tamás Tóth

E82 Parking House
architect designer: László Herczeg
architect: Anna Kormányos

 

Publications

Zsolnay Cultural Quarter on Építészfórum.hu.

 

Awards

The 30 best Hungarian buildings of the decade (Toplist by index.hu and Építészfórum) – 2019

ICOMOS Prize (László Herczeg) – 2013

Fiabci Award and Fiabci Silver Medal – 2013

Brick Award Top 50 – 2013

Architecture Award for Media – 2012

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