Serving the community and culture both inside and out – A commemorative plaque was unveiled at the award-winning Szekszárd Knowledge Centre

Just over a year ago, on 20 January 2025, the Szekszárd Knowledge Centre officially opened its doors. This means that the 300,000 books, vast collection of periodicals and 10,000 metres of documents held by the two institutions – the Tolna County Archives of the Hungarian National Archives and the Illyés Gyula Library – have been placed in a fitting and modern setting.

The cultural centre was realised by ZÁÉV Construction Industry Zrt. received the Construction Industry Quality Award, one of the sector’s most prestigious accolades,

On 24 March 2026, the Excellence Award was launched.

Prior to the unveiling of the Quality Award plaque, speeches were given by Miklós Zórándy and József Dormán, representing the Judging Committee of the Construction Industry Quality Award Foundation, the Deputy Managing Director of the contractor ZÁÉV Zrt., Dr Balázs Czetz, Deputy Director-General of Collections at the Hungarian National Archives, and, on behalf of the Local Government of Szekszárd, Mayor Attila Berlinger.

Complex project through collaboration

Miklós Zórándy emphasised the significance of the Quality Award, which is one of the highest forms of professional recognition and is awarded by a broad-based committee representing multiple disciplines. He highlighted that the Szekszárd Knowledge Centre is not only outstanding in terms of its architectural quality, but also transcends its own scope due to its social and cultural role.

In his speech, József Dormán provided a comprehensive overview of the implementation of the Szekszárd Knowledge Centre, the construction process and its technical aspects, whilst emphasising the complexity of the project and the importance of cooperation.

He gave a detailed account of the building’s main specifications: the 6,061-square-metre, three-storey facility serves a range of modern, complex functions, housing library, educational and archive spaces alike. He also highlighted the significant technical aspects, including the deep foundation works, the large quantities of structural materials used, and the energy systems.

In his speech, he repeatedly emphasised the teamwork behind the project and the importance of collaboration. He thanked the client, the designers, the technical supervisors and the subcontractors for their work, stressing that a project of this scale can only be realised through coordinated efforts.

„A project of this scale and significance is always about more than just constructing a building. It requires a dedicated team that works together.”

Dr Balázs Czetz spoke about the changing role of public collections in the digital age. He emphasised that the preservation of physical documents remains essential, and that the future lies in new types of open, integrated knowledge hubs.

Attila Berlinger concluded his speech by highlighting the Knowledge Centre’s significance for both the city and the wider region. He pointed out that the building creates community and cultural value, transcending its physical function, and could become a key player in the region’s long-term development.

An accessible island

The Knowledge Centre was built as part of a brownfield development on the site of the former Szekszárd barracks, based on the planning permission and construction drawings submitted by Építész Alkotóműhely Kft.. And while we’re on the subject of awards: the work of the building’s designers was recognised with the Alfréd Forbát Award.

The Knowledge Centre, owned by the Hungarian National Archives, is not a sanctuary of isolated knowledge and culture guarded by the privileged. In keeping with the concept of an open and service-oriented archive, they regard it as a priority to encourage as many pupils from primary, secondary and higher education institutions as possible to visit the institution and learn about the archive and the cultural treasures it holds.

Not just a building, but a meeting place in the city

Let’s take a broad look at the projects that contributed to the prestigious recognition of ZÁÉV. The exterior appearance of the three-storey building, with a gross floor area of 3,500 square metres , is defined by a curtain wall spanning over 1,000 m² and large-format façade cladding panels covering nearly 2,500 m², featuring a colour scheme of light and dark grey.