Location: District I, Budapest

Area: 11 010 m²

Year: 2021

Client: Mathias Corvinus Collegium

General designer: Studio IN-EX Architects and Engineers

Concept Design and Visualization: ARROW Architects

Award: Mathias Corvins Collegium Design Competition - 2nd prize 

Status: concept plan

The planned garden is divided into three main functional parts. The first part is the entrance area, which introduces visitors to the building and garden with representative elements. Going through the entrance staircase, bordered by a retaining wall on the left and water feature on the right. In front of the building, the paved surface widens into agora as a continuation of the space in the building. The spaces also functions as a meeting place completed with outdoor furniture.

To the north and south of the entrance area is the water feature, with a south-facing starting point. From there it runs along the building in front of the library. On the north side, it stretches in front of the conference room and gym, finishing with a cascade. Looking out from the interior - library, conference room and gym - we can thus get in touch with an inspiring environment, the sight of which is refreshing during studying and other physical and mental work. Another important part of the garden is the woodland part of the park to the north-west of the building. A more sheltered, more intimate gardener could be formed while retaining the original trees and vegetation. In this part of the garden is the chapel, which is connected by a path to the main areas. The third part of the garden is located behind the building, a more private area used only by students and staff. Here is the sunbathing area, which provides a larger horizontal lawn. In addition and taking advantage of the terrain an amphitheater provides space for outdoor lessons, group work or leisure. 

The natural appearing garden complements the mass of the building. Careful blend of naturalistic elements that adapt to the existing terrain and emphasize on programming through the use of retaining walls, slopes and horizontal surfaces to engage educational, recreational and representative functions.

 An important aspect in the planting design is the use of native, adapted plants, and the preservation of the woodland. There we propsoed a multi-storey vegetation, e.g. trees with low shrubs and ground cover to ensure transparency. In other areas we used ornamental grasses, perennials, ground covers and low and medium shrubs in combination with trees.