Training workshops are making a comeback – Deák Ferenc Technical College in Székesfehérvár is expanding with a new wing

Few schools in Hungary can claim that their history stretches all the way back to the end of the 19th century. The Deák Ferenc Technical College is one of them; its predecessor began more than 130 years ago as a commercial apprenticeship school, and over the decades, alongside commercial training, it became a key player in the hospitality and tourism sectors. From the 1970s onwards, practical training came to the fore: training kitchens, classrooms and a stable team of specialist teachers were established.

The institution’s current main building was completed in 1990 and was recognised in 2007 with the Construction Industry Quality Award, presented by the city. The extension was already included in the original plans drawn up by the Fejér County Design Office, but the second phase of the project was delayed for decades.

An old plan is now coming to fruition

Due to the delay in the second phase of development, the institution is operating in a fragmented manner: it is only able to provide theoretical and practical training to its students at different locations. The most important outcome of the current development project, commissioned by the Székesfehérvár Vocational Training Centre, is that the training workshops will be returned to the institution, creating a unified educational environment.

Training hotel, training bakery, training restaurant

As part of the project, the experts at STRABAG are constructing a three-storey wing with an attic, offering 1,595 square metres of usable floor space.

The functional design is tailored to training requirements:

• the ground floor will house kitchenettes and service areas,
• On the first floor, there will be a dance studio, a dance school and classrooms,
• The top floor will house communal and office spaces.

Prefabricated structures speed up construction

During construction, a prefabricated reinforced concrete frame was erected using point foundations and cup-shaped foundations. The latter technique offers numerous advantages: site preparation is not weather-dependent and can be carried out even during the winter months, thanks to prefabrication taking place in a controlled industrial environment.

The amount of on-site work is reduced, with less formwork, reinforcement and concreting required, which also minimises the risk of errors. The prefabricated elements – columns, beams and floor slabs – have a high load-bearing capacity and can be manufactured to precise dimensions, making the structural system easy to design.
 

The building's shell was completed in just under two weeks

The framework for the technical college’s extension was completed in just under two weeks: the components were transported to the site by road, where they were hoisted into place using a mobile crane.

Prefabricated technology also helps to keep the construction site tidier, which is crucial when working alongside a school that remains open. A further advantage is that the project is easier to plan logistically and involves less waste and material handling.

Specialist teaching spaces with a modern design

The interior spaces of the new Deák Technical College building are being designed to meet the specific requirements of catering training. State-of-the-art kitchen equipment is being installed in the teaching kitchens and confectionery rooms, whilst the flooring and wall coverings are being fitted with hygienic, easy-to-clean surfaces.

The new accessible wing is connected to the main building by connecting corridors

The transport system is also being upgraded: accessible parking spaces are being created near the school. The building itself will also meet this criterion; in addition to the three-flight staircase, a passenger lift will ensure barrier-free access to all floors.

The extension and the existing building are linked by corridors running along every floor, creating a cohesive learning environment.

Energy-efficient operation with state-of-the-art engineering

One of the project’s greatest technical challenges is the design of the conventionally structured roof. The building services will be housed in the attic.
The energy consumption of the workshops and teaching spaces is significant. Heat loss from the buildings is minimised through the use of modern, thermally insulated building envelopes and state-of-the-art mechanical systems.

The building wing’s heating and cooling will be provided by a system powered by an energy-efficient heat pump. Mechanical ventilation and the supply of fresh air will be handled by heat-recovery ventilators, which will also recycle waste heat.

Part of the building’s electricity requirements will be met by a solar power generation system fitted with a backfeed protection device, installed on the roof of the building.

Construction alongside a school in operation

The construction work is taking place in the immediate vicinity of an operational institution, which presents a significant logistical challenge. The confined space limits the options for storing materials, so the delivery of large structural elements requires precise and flexible scheduling.

The contractors are ensuring that teaching can continue uninterrupted through temporary traffic arrangements and coordinated logistics.

The new wing could be ready by the start of the school year

Construction is proceeding according to schedule, and the new wing is expected to be ready in time for the start of the school year.
The project therefore represents not only a physical expansion, but also a new chapter in the history of an institution with a heritage stretching back over a century. The aim is to provide a modern environment for training specialists in key sectors of the economy.