Art Shield Statue Conservation Pavilion

Press Kit

Unique Properties

Hello Wood approached the winterization of the Vorosmarty monument on one of the most central squares of Budapest with a contemporary design concept. Instead of the most frequent plastic cover solution, they created a temporary structure around the artwork to protect it from the damaging effect of frost and thaw and to keep the monument visible, inspiring for the masses of visitors in the city center. The installation is reusable, it can be dismantled and stored swiftly between winter seasons.

Dimensions & Packaging

Width: 14,15 m
Depth: 9,00 m
Height: 10,65 m
Floor area: 112 m2

Tags

temporary, urban space, monument protection, pavilion, statue conservation, functional, installation

Production Technology

The steel structure and the birch plywood roofing were determined by using a parametric software. The tool using laser cutting technology retrieved data directly from the software and cut the steel sheet pieces to shape, which then were welded together. The roofing was made by CNC machines. The transparent plexiglass facade protects the statue from the driving rain. The structure was designed so it can be assembled and dismantled swiftly and it is also easy to transport and store.

Design Challenge

The biggest architectural challenge was to create a structure that protects and highlights the monument at the same time. The structure also had to be designed for easy disassembly, building up, transportation, moving by crane & storing. Since the timeframe for the design process was short, the studio had to come up with a very smart structure to be able to manage all the permissions by different governing bodies and authorities (e.g. monument protection, the municipality, the fire department).

Project Duration

The design process started in September 2019 and the production finished in November 2019 then the structure was set up in one week. The installation will be dismantled at the end of winter, in March. Its elements can be reassembled in the square again in the next winter season. Its location is Vorosmarty square, in the city center of Budapest.

Operation Flow

The pavilion, instead of covering the installation - as the usual plastic cover solution - gives an opportunity to the masses of visitors to marvel to and gain inspiration from the statue. During the Christmas Fair it dazzled the passers-by with a colorful lightning.

Research

The studio was looking for inspiration in the monument preservation area but found few examples. Learning about the physical properties of the sculpture and Carrara marble was the main focus and to create a visually inspiring conservation solution around it. They had to learn about steel since it was their first time working with the material. They contacted restorers, statue experts, the designers of the square. They had to research the possibilities of how to build around an existing object.

Inspiration

An excerpt from Szozat is inscribed on the statue: To your homeland without fail / Be faithful, O Hungarian! The monument has been representing the idea that even in difficult centuries there are people & values capable of forging people into one nation. The classic form highlights this ideal, respects the statue and the historic environment. The translucent shape and the floorplan were inspired by the form and size of the monument and the elliptical design of the square.

Image Credits

Image #1: Photographer Zsuzsa Darab, Art Shield - Vörösmarty pavilion, 2019.
Image #2: Photographer Zsuzsa Darab, Art Shield - Vörösmarty pavilion, 2019.
Image #3: Photographer Zsuzsa Darab, Art Shield - Vörösmarty pavilion, 2019.
Image #4: Photographer Zsuzsa Darab, Art Shield - Vörösmarty pavilion, 2019.
Image #5: Photographer Zsuzsa Darab, Art Shield - Vörösmarty pavilion, 2019.
Video Credits: Máté Lakos

Patents

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Colors of Art Shield Statue Conservation Pavilion

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