19th-century palaces wrapped in reflective gold transform budapest streetscapes

pxyis nautica & Dániel Szalai wrap 19th-century palaces in gold

 

In downtown Budapest, Hungary, Pyxis Nautica and Dániel Szalai have transformed four 19^th-century palaces into urban-scale artistic interventions by concealing them in golden fabric. The structures, built between 1817 and 1922, are currently undergoing conservation and restoration to be reborn as exclusive office buildings and public, cultural spaces for modern-day use. By wrapping their historic facades in gold, the project turns a spotlight on these architectural treasures while challenging our perception of the built environment.

Almásy Palace | image by Bálint Jaksa

 

 

a reflective urban-scale intervention in downtown budapest

 

Budapest-based architecture and design studio Pyxis Nautica’s collaboration with artist Dániel Szalai arose after a commission by Hungarian boutique real estate developer, Optinvest Zrt. Between 2022 and 2026, the historic structures will be repurposed to serve as exclusive office buildings as well as introducing new public facilities including cafes, and cultural and event spaces. Their transformation will be carried out fully respecting the palaces’ heritage status, aiming to conserve and restore as much of their original glory as possible.

 

The project wraps the facades of four heritage-protected palaces with golden fabric, covering a total area of 1,100 square meters (11,840 square feet). The special, water-repellent cover not only serves as a construction safety net until the renovation of the dilapidated buildings starts but also means an urban-scale artistic intervention. By wrapping them in gold, the project turns a spotlight on these architectural treasures while challenging our perception of the built environment. Instead of considering them as mere scenery of their daily commute, it invites passers-by to reflect upon and interact with these buildings in a different way. While hiding the building’s facade and creating mystery, the shiny wrapping reflects light and creates a foggy mirror, inviting observes to get closer to the palaces and touch them, experiencing the buildings as physical objects.

the gold-wrapped Wagner Palace | image by Bálint Jaksa

the Dreher Palace | image by Daniel Szalai

wrought iron balcony railing of the Dreher Palace wrapped in gold | image by Daniel Szalai

Dreher Palace wrapped in gold | image by Daniel Szalai

a QR code on each palace’s door give’s information about the building’s history | image by Bálint Jaksa

Almásy Palace | image by Bálint Jaksa

 

 

project info:

 

name: Budapest Palaces Wrapped in Gold
designer: Dániel Szalai & Pyxis Nautica Design and Build
location: Budapest, Hungary

 

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions’ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: ravail khan | designboom