The ‘House of Music’ in Budapest, Hungary, is now officially open to the public. Designed by Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto, the House is regarded as one of the most anticipated buildings of the year and an ambitious rethinking of a 21st century museum space.
Opening as part of the largest cultural developments in Europe – the Liget Budapest Project – the project will transform the experience of culture for the Hungarian capital and support it becoming a leading cultural tourism destination in Europe.
The House is designed as a continuation of its naturalistic setting in the park and actively builds on the synergy of and balance with nature. Sou Fujimoto architects have used 94 custom-manufactured, heat-insulated and undivided glass panels to create a completely translucent facade which blurs boundaries between indoor and outdoor space. The building’s undulating roof structure, designed with nearly 100 crater-like holes in the surface, is inspired by the varying form of sound waves. The roof changes depth and allows trees to slip through while channelling light into the bottom level of the building; facilitating the lighting of the interiors and creating a special atmosphere as if visitors are walking under the trees.
Sou Fujimoto has also given particular attention to the building’s sustainability credentials, which has been granted BREEAM certification. The House is equipped with a special heating and cooling system, native and low water-intensive plants species have been specially chosen for the area, and rainwater from the roof and green areas will be collected and drained to the local water reservoir and nearby city.
Acting as a performance venue alongside a library, workshop and exhibition space, the House welcomes visitors to immerse themselves in musical experiences and learn about the broad history of music. The permanent exhibition will provide an overview of the European history of music, while the first temporary exhibition will showcase the history of Hungarian pop music from 1957-1993.