Our “shelter roof” concept of Korda Filmpark’s new Visitors’ Centre which is protruding extensively above the hill became a dominant center piece of the film studio complex.
The Korda Studio was named after Sir Alexander Korda, the famous director and producer of Hungarian descent. As a significant figure of the British film industry and the founder of London Films Studio, he was the first director in history to be knighted by George IV, in 1942. His brothers, Zoltán and Vince Korda, were also working on remarkable movies in Hollywood in the first half of the 20th century. Keeping up with this heritage since its opening in 2007, the studio has been chosen for movies like ‘The Martian’ by Ridley Scott or the shooting of Inferno in 2016.
BORD Architectural Studio was commissioned to create a new visitors' centre on a hilltop, among the existing buildings of the Filmpark.
The functions in the programme were organized in two individual buildings. A simple hall was designed for the interactive exhibition on film history. As puritan as it can be, with its plain and smooth surface, it blends well into the surrounding industrial complex. Visually and architecturally, the information and visitors’ centre is highlighted. Located in the middle of the Park and placed on a hilltop, its concept is based on openness. The best possible view of the film park can be seen from there.
The building dominates the area like a single, sheltering roof that is "floating"above the hill.
The appearance of its aerial volume is emphasized by the reflecting water surface in front of it, which doubles the view. From the inside, through the huge, wide glazed walls, the installed open-air sceneries and lively shooting locations can be admired just like a film with the busy scene city in the background. With its simple shape serving a representative function, the horizontal building mass is both industrial and elegant. The flexible space is suitable for large-scale events as well as for the everyday life of the people working here.
Due to its location, the building provides a panoramic view of the whole area of the Film Park and the daily life of the studios.
Both visually and functionally, the building is a transparent open space and, similarly to a hub, it functions as a meeting point for all happenings around it. Characteristic, V-shaped concrete pillars support the large roof, the negative of the same silhouette appears on the closed concrete wall of the entrance area. Being homogenous and neutral, the visitors’ centre represents stability: a fixed point in the bustling and ever-changing area of the Film Park. It has a clear mission: to serve the new, interactive and public function and thus provide space, meeting opportunity, protection and panoramic view for both the visitors and the staff of the Studio.
Project info
- Project Name Korda Filmpark Visitors Centre
- Location Etyek, Hungary
- Completion 2011
- Gross Area 1,300 m2
- General Design BORD Architectural Studio
- Head Architect Péter Bordás
- Architect Team Róbert Benke, Annamária Holovits, Tamás Tolvaj, Júlia Szendrői
- Photograghs Endre Tóth, György Palkó