One of Makovecz’s major works is to be restored

„This building is one of the high points of my professional career; all the elements I have ever come across are represented here” – wrote Imre Makovecz of the Vígadó in Szigetvár, which is also the world-famous architect’s last building for which he drew the construction plans himself; his later sketches were developed by his younger colleagues.

The only building in Baranya designed by Imre Makovecz is the Vigadó in Szigetvár, for which he was commissioned in the mid-1980s. Although construction began in 1985, it progressed slowly, and the project was eventually halted in 1990 due to a lack of funds. This organic building, full of symbolic spaces and of national significance, only took its final form decades later, in 2013.

Three interlocking domes form the central motif of the building on József Attila Street, evoking Rudolf Steiner’s Goetheanum. In the spirit of organic architecture, these symbolic spaces convey both concrete and abstract meanings.

Today, the Vigadó is one of Szigetvár’s most important venues for public cultural activities, and the local council is taking ongoing steps to maintain and modernise it. The cultural centre, which had been left half-finished, was completed in 2012–2013, but by that time many parts of the building—which had stood empty for decades—had become outdated and were in a poor state of repair.

They're giving it another go

A few years ago, the town council was finally able to begin the renovation work; however, the contractor carrying out the project fell behind schedule and failed to fulfil its contractual obligations as expected, and so Szigetvár terminated the works contracts with the contractor in April 2024.

The work undertaken at that time involved the complete refurbishment and modernisation of the east and west wings and the entrance hall, the replacement of all floor coverings and external doors and windows, the installation of a new mechanical services system independent of the existing one, the construction of a new kitchen in the southern extension of the west wing, and the partial replacement/repair of the copper sheet roofing.

They were therefore looking for a contractor once again, whilst at the same time commissioning ArchEA Építész Műhely Kft. to review the previous plans. According to the latest tender documents, IMLA Build Group Kft. has won the new tender. A budget of 363 million forints and 300 days will be available to transform one of the most distinctive domestic architectural works of the second half of the 20th century.

The detailed design documentation for the ArchEA extension is divided into two phases (Ü1 and Ü2) and contains, on the one hand, the architectural, building services and electrical engineering plans relating to the fundamental renovation and functional expansion of the building, and, on the other hand, the specification of the essential kitchen equipment required for the operation of the catering kitchen. The procurement of the kitchen equipment specified in Phase Ü2 is not part of this investment project.

They are embarking on a major refurbishment

The successful tenderer must therefore carry out the work for the first phase, during which:

• The complete refurbishment and modernisation of the east and west wings and the entrance hall can begin, including the replacement of the flooring and external doors and windows. The affected area will be fitted with a new mechanical services system, independent of the existing one;
• The glass wall structure and windows and doors in the hall need to be replaced (95.46 m²)²);
• some of the external and internal doors and windows need to be replaced;
• at 460 m²The mechanical and electrical upgrades to the main hall can be carried out during this phase;
• The interior refurbishment and modernisation work on the upper floor will affect the area south of the main hall and the west wing. During this phase, the office wing on the upper floor will be fitted with a retrofitted insulated suspended ceiling. The floor area affected by the refurbishment and modernisation work here is 488 m²².
• A kitchen area is being fitted out on the ground floor of the building, covering 124 m²²...including a service corridor, changing rooms and storage rooms. However, the construction of the kitchen area does not include the purchase and installation of kitchen appliances, which is scheduled for the next phase.
• the cellar (13 m²) and the ground floor (528 m²) In addition to the refurbishment, restoration and painting work must be carried out on the building’s external façade (6,400 m²)²-en.
• This section also covers the replacement/repair of copper sheet cladding, primarily around damaged eaves and cornices, as well as
• the repair work to the towers, as detailed in the construction drawings, must also be carried out, and the lightning protection system for the towers and the building’s fire alarm system must be installed;
• Repairs to the timber structures must also be carried out at certain locations specified in the expert report.

Plans also include inspecting, repairing and re-tinning the tiled roofing on the side wings, as well as restoring the wooden sculptures in poor condition located at the rear and side entrances.