Another huge building competition for the Natural History Museum's move to Debrecen

In spring, the results of the design competition for the Natural History Museum's exhibition building in Nagyerdő Exhibition Building in Nagyerdő, with BIG – BJARKE INGELS GROUP A/S and its Hungarian partner, Vikár és Lukács Építész Stúdió Kft., winning first place with their design for a hill-shaped structure embedded in the terrain.

Debrecen Infrastructure Development (DIF) has now issued a new tender, according to the EU public procurement notice . The company, which is also responsible for relocating the state museum to Debrecen, is now seeking to prepare the architectural design documentation necessary for the implementation of the museum's Collection Centre awaiting the preliminary documentation in the first, open phase, and will then select the applicants from whom it will request a proposal based on the materials received.

The Collection Centre will be built in the Science Park of the University of Debrecen, and architects should take this into account. This is where a large part of the museum's collection storage, research, education and digitisation work will take place. As noted in the call for proposals, the exterior appearance and interior design may reference the museum's collection and scientific policies, but should primarily be designed with usability and sustainability in mind.

Collection storage, laboratories, research rooms

Functionally, the Collections Centre building is designed to have a net floor area of 42,839 m², of which 17,097 m² is intended for the various collections, mainly for storage. 8,555 m² of floor space is required for the library and archives functions, and a further 2,030 m² for laboratories, workshops and associated facilities. 2,490 m² of floor space is required for the research rooms and offices, with a further 1,200 m² for meeting rooms and lecture theatres. The planned floor area for social rooms, circulation areas and other premises is 11 467 m².

For the pre-qualification phase, the DIF directly invited

• the CÉH Tervező, Beruházó és Fejlesztő Zrt.
• NARMER Architectural Studio Bt.
• the BORD Építész Stúdió Kft.
• and Gereben Marián Kft.

In the next phase, a total of 14 entries will be invited to compete.