Equitone Natura N162. Remember that name because it defines much of what you see. We stand before the NKE Oktat\u00e1si \u00e9p\u00fclet here in Budapest. It is a key part of the Ludovika Campus.
This campus is not just buildings. It is also the historic Orczy-kert. That garden is beautiful. It boasts old trees a pond and open space. NKE Oktat\u00e1si \u00e9p\u00fclet helps mark the Orczy-kert entrance.
The question arose how should the building relate to the city’s transport hub. It was decided that the NKE Oktat\u00e1si \u00e9p\u00fclet should connect with the garden. It also connects with Ludovika and future developments. The building needed to be a sculpture. It should signal both the university and the Orczy-kert entrance.
The building has a reversed Z shape. This sits within a rhomboid shape. Inside are two main areas each about 1300 to 1400 square meters. These spaces define the building. The space towards \u00dcll\u0151i \u00fat is for entry. It is for arrival celebrations and remembrance. The first floor looks over Orczy-kert. It is for recreation fun and rest.
A five story high colonnade surrounds these spaces. This structure connects the building’s wings. The exterior has large fiber cement panels. They are a natural color that harmonizes with a nearby building. The Equitone Natura N162 is sand colored. Bordeaux colored panels mark interior spaces.
Inside the Z shape is a transparent space. A decorative staircase cuts through the building. The exterior cladding becomes interior. This divides the building into east and west wings.
Let’s talk about the functions of the NKE Oktat\u00e1si \u00e9p\u00fclet. The basement holds parking and service areas. There are also studios for creating educational materials. A kitchen prepares 2600 meals.
Large lecture halls are on the ground floor. These seat 300 500 and 140 people. A restaurant provides meals. There is also a large terrace. Part of the lobby can be separated for events. Service areas are accessible from the west side. Classrooms and faculty offices are on the upper floors. They flank the central space.
The main staircase is within the transparent area. It provides access to classrooms. It also creates a social space for students. The large fiber cement cladding enhances the building’s sculptural quality. The cladding extends to the roof and arcades. It strengthens the building’s form.
The material samples were presented by contractors. The architects chose Equitone Natura N359 and Equitone Natura N162. These met aesthetic standards and technical requirements. The NKE Oktat\u00e1si \u00e9p\u00fclet stands 28.1 meters high. It is 85 meters wide and 90 meters long. It has over twenty thousand square meters of space. It can accommodate 3955 people. It was completed in 21 months.
Inside are lecture halls and seminar rooms. There is a 500 seat hall. A 300 seat hall is also here. There are two 140 seat rooms. Four rooms hold 80 people. Sixty one rooms hold 20 to 40 people. Language and IT labs support learning. A reading room seats 53. Faculty members have 100 offices. A main kitchen serves 2600. A grill kitchen serves 300. Two buffets offer refreshment. The rooftop terrace covers 1300 square meters.