Nyugati Railway Station Reconstruction – Architectural Design Competition

The submitted proposal won Third Prize

The Budapest Development Centre has initiated an international architectural design competition consisting of two rounds, aimed at the reconstruction and expansion of Nyugati Railway Station, including its underground facilities. The primary objective was to revitalize the station while preserving its historical significance, all while incorporating innovative railway operations. In the second round, 12 participants were selected based on their conceptual designs, spanning architecture, sustainable development, transportation planning, and urban design.

Competing with 12 world-renowned firms, our joint submission with Zaha Hadid Architects (United Kingdom), Finta & Partners Architects (Hungary), Buro Happold (United Kingdom), and Land Italia (Italy) won third place.

ABUD’s responsibilities encompassed a comprehensive range of tasks, such as analyzing climate change scenarios, conducting energy modeling on an urban scale, simulating microclimates in key areas, analyzing spatial networks, employing computational methods to assess safety perceptions and visitor behavior, devising a concept for a neighborhood-level energy system and its operation, as well as providing design support for green and blue infrastructure.

In the words of the project evaluation, we were grateful to receive the following praise:

“This proposal stands out for its meticulous attention to green spaces. It introduces an intricate network of green areas that are carefully safeguarded, all while upholding a commendable level of biodiversity.”

What We Did

• Climate change scenario analysis.
• Urban-scale energy modelling,and model-based optimization strategies to reduce
  energy demands, improve efficiency, maximize on-site renewable energy production,
  and reduce grid interactions.
• Coarse and detailed microclimate simulation in critical locations, and model-based
  optimization of nature-based solutions to reduce heat stress, urban heat island
  effect, improve outdoor comfort.
• Spatial network analysis, and model-based recommendations to improve walkability
  and bikeability of the neighbourhood.
• Computational analysis of perceived safety and visitor behaviour, and model-based
  optimization of the layout of people-oriented spaces and ecological corridors, to
  balance undisturbed, semi-natural areas with vibrant zones filled with public life.
• Concept design of a neighbourhood-scale energy system and its operation, to
  maximize the reuse of waste energy, reduce CAPEX, and improve the energy
  autonomy of the development.
• Design-support for green-and-blue infrastructure, recommendations for deploying nature-based solutions for rainwater management.