Synthetic resin terrazzo flooring in the Szilágyi Dezső Square church in Budapest - Modern technology in a sacred space

The same was the case with the Reformed church on Dezső Szilágyi Square, which was built between 1893 and 1895, based on the plans of Samu Pecz.

The red-brick building on the Danube bank, decorated with Zsolnay pots, is reminiscent of Gothic castles, and the genius of Samu Pecz is evident in both the exterior and interior details. The church is also known for its memorable events, such as the marriage of Endre Ady and his muse Csinszka in the spring of 1915.

Following the renovation of the façade of the beautiful church, which was completed in 2014, the interior was renewed between 2019 and 2021 by the Budapest-Buda Reformed Parish.

The interior renovation planned by Szakál Építész Iroda includes

A new heating system was installed, the windows were replaced with insulated windows, the pews were restored, the entire electrical system was renewed, new base and decorative paint was applied to the walls and new flooring was laid.

Decorative paving in a historic environment

The renovation of the 350 m² of the floor with a more contemporary cement terrazzo covering was not possible because of the need for underfloor heating, which is not suitable.

Thus, the contractor Palazzo Kft. replaced the existing, ruined cement terrazzo paving with a modern resin-bonded terrazzo paving, which also fits in with the historic environment and is suitable for underfloor heating.

The architects' expectation was that the new cladding should fit into the space envisioned and built by Samu Pecz, and its decorative system, in such a way that - referring to its special five-bay dome system - it should be restrained, not dominant. The contractors have chosen the colours, the borders and the patterns, and the division of the expansion fields and the design of the underfloor heating circles accordingly.

For the reasons mentioned above, the technology used in the project was specialised. During the work, the staff of Palazzo Kft. used MAPEFLOOR I 910 resin for the foundation and resin mortar preparation, and to achieve the required consistency, they used ADDITIX PE viscosity enhancer and stability improver was added to achieve the required consistency. MAPEFLOOR I 300 SL resin was used to bind the rock particles, while surface protection was achieved by applying MAPELUX LUCIDA glossy wax.

What are the advantages of a resin enclosure in such a space?

• The cladding, although made with a resin binder, still has a natural cement terrazzo effect, giving it a contemporary look
• The resin binder provides greater flexibility and greater protection against liquids and dirt
• Can be installed in smaller thicknesses than traditional cement terrazzo
• A wide range of colours to choose from with the RAL colour palette
• Local repair is possible in case of possible damage

The most important aspect is the long-lasting and materially upgradeable system, which solves the question of the floor material for up to 50-70 years, as opposed to the trendy replacement and wear and tear of cold and other coverings.

Visiting the site, you can see how the talent and skill of the contractor, combined with the use of excellent materials, is the perfect combination for paving such a special space.

The end result is a work of impeccable artistic merit in every respect, worthy of the neo-Gothic style church covered with brown-yellow-green glazed Zsolnay tiles, a characteristic element of the Budapest cityscape.

The MAPEI Kft. also made a spectacular video of the works on site at the Szilágyi Dezső Square church:

If you have any questions about resin cladding, please contact us at [email protected] or call +36 23 501-674.