Kite and gliders competition center

Budapest University of Technology and Economics

Project idea

The proposed design offers the new function of the existing hangar at the hills of Hármashatár-hegyi in Budapest, and new, additional structure right next to it. Areas are public and semi-public, offering the content for the locals, as well as attracting tourists. The hangar served as a workshop for handmade gliders at first, which reached even some world records, and now is only used for storage. So, I decided to bring the old functions back to life and invite the new ones that would make a appealing combination.

Project description

As mentioned before, old hangar stays in the already existing size, with the reconstruction of the roof layers. Inside will be placed workshop area for making kites and remote gliders and hall for the competitions and shows of windless kite performances. By the stairs, you can get to the steel bridge, from which you can observe the workshop, or even watch the competition, because the rooms are divided by large curtain wall area. Other functions located on the western side of the building are sanitary and mechanical rooms. The main and back facades are kept in original stone covering, while other sides have cladding out of "engineered stone".
Extensional building is transparent, with curtain walls from all the sides, contrary to the hangar. Its skeleton is light and resembles the structure of the flying biplanes used in the past. It has functions for café and restaurant, places for the MSE club and balcony for remote gliders competitions. Because of the height, it also serves as a lookout point, attracting new people to visit and enjoy the view. It has two floors, with smaller part which is partially connected to the hangar, which allows visitors to efficiently move around all public areas.

Technical information

Construction of the hangar:
Structure is made out of masonry, which is also main load-bearing system. On the northern and southern side, it has four external pillars in triangular shape, 120x25cm on the whole height. On the eastern and western side, the columns are smaller – 90x25cm and also following the whole height. Roof structure is supported by trusses.
Construction of the extension:
Load-bearing system is skeleton, with steel columns and beams in two ways. Elements are I and U profiles, providing stability. Envelope is curtain wall; roof is made out of steel folded sheet. Purpose was to create light structure, open to the visitors, offering the feeling of being close to the nature. The steel was a logical solution, because of easy execution that does not require big excavations and that way preserves the site in the nature.

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