Ferdinand and Ferdinand Architects

Cycling Center

10 to 15 years ago, the topic of mobility gained momentum in the Hungarian contemporary architecture. Many young architects realized that a major task of the next generation of architects, engineers and urban designers will be the redefinition and reshaping of the existing urban infrastructure. Architecture and mobility will have implications not only on the traffic systems and means of transport of the 21^st century; they will have an impact on social spaces or public parks as well.

Although the town of Tiszafüred is considered to be the capital of the Tisza Lake Region, and also the center of the North Alföld eco-touristic sub-region, it has relatively few sights or buildings that are worth mentioning from a clearly architectural perspective. One of them nearby is the Hotel Tisza Balneum, designed by Ferdinand Architects in 2004–2008.

Perhaps that’s why my first encounter with the cycling center struck me as a surprise. We arrived on the main road from Debrecen. For miles and miles there is nothing to see but the breathtaking plains of Hortobágy. When we reached Tiszafüred, and crossed the railroad, quite unexpectedly we caught the sight of the new building. The psychological effect is very different from other buildings with a high tower, which the visitors can see from far. Here it comes out of the blue. After one or two bends from the town centre you have a standalone snow-white building in front of you, with surprising contours.

For the lovers of contemporary architecture it is immediately obvious that the Cycling Center designed by Ferdinand Architects may have been inspired by Dutch or Danish examples of urban bicycle facilities. The road becomes the building itself, as it spirals upwards, slowly ascending and finally connecting to the building at its top – where the entrance zone to the Pavilion is located.

This concept was further developed in Tiszafüred. Certain parts establish the functional connection between the levels of the building: the ground floor houses bicycle rentals and service functions, washrooms and showers are located on the first floor, while the top floor gives room to a coffee shop and an information desk. From here you can enjoy the beautiful vistas of Tisza Lake, after a full day of cycling with the family.

The building may seem a little exaggerated or too modernly shaped for the first sight, since the style and the scale of the building may be considered more suitable for a more dense urban background – as in the examples cited above.

On the other hand it must not be forgotten that this building does not merely serve the pure functional needs of bikers, it aims to be the symbol of the touristic development projects in the region, even of bicycle tourism in Hungary, in general.

Text by Jozsef Martinko