The 50-year-old streetscape could change with the redevelopment of the Klinikák complex

Since 1964, the ten-storey block of the Institute of Experimental Medicine (KOKI) has dominated the view at the corner of Üllői út and Szigony utca. Hungary’s leading neuroscience research institute was established in 1952 as part of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, and its headquarters have been the centre of neuroscience in Hungary for decades.

The building, which is now over 60 years old, requires extensive renovation; in order to ensure the institution’s continued operation, it was therefore decided to support the institute’s approximately 245 employees with a new building within the block. The block bounded by Apáthy István Street, Szigony Street, Bókay János Street and Üllői Road houses various buildings of Semmelweis University, amongst which the new unit is to be situated.

It began as an airy, impressive space

Ervin Kemper, the architect of IPARTERV, designed this striking corner building, which was constructed as a ten-storey tower approximately 44 metres high due to the constraints of the narrow plot and specific laboratory and functional requirements (e.g. ventilation, animal housing, and the positioning of chimneys). The building was handed over on 5 July 1964; it does not stand directly on the corner of Szigony Street, but is set back by about thirty metres. It was built this way so that people could walk around the building, thereby creating space and emphasising its presence.

The block, with its original raised section, could not remain standing alone in the middle of the square for long; in the mid-1970s, the KOKI complex was extended – to meet growing laboratory and administrative needs – with a lower, horizontally elongated building encircling it. This development also provided space for the Klinikák station on Metro Line 3, which was opened to the public on the last day of 1976.

It must be built within 18 months

In a joint tender organised by HUN-REN and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, applications are invited until 9 July for the construction of a new two-storey research building within the same block of buildings, which will provide workspaces for KOKI staff whilst the urgent renovation work is carried out.

The winner will have 18 months to construct the new research building, which must complement the functions of the existing tower and be directly connected to the OGR (animal house) building.

The successful tenderer will be responsible for the complete construction of the building, which has a total floor area of 1,172.61 m². This involves carrying out all necessary tasks, from site demarcation to the issue of the occupation permit, including surface finishes, the full installation of comfort and technical building services, and the installation of high- and low-voltage power supply systems in the laboratory areas. The laboratory area to be created in the building is 528.7 m².