Debrecen4U
March 13, 2026
Plans for the Hungarian Natural History Museum Being Built in Debrecen Were Presented in Cannes
At the world’s largest real estate and urban development event, MIPIM in Cannes, the visual designs and a presentation video of the new exhibition building of the Hungarian Natural History Museum to be built in Debrecen were presented to an international audience.
Designed by the world-renowned Bjarke Ingels Group and the Hungarian Vikár és Lukács Építész Stúdió, the project received great interest from the international professional community. According to several experts, the iconic concept has a strong chance of following the international successes of Hungarian museum architecture in recent years, such as the House of Music Hungary and the Museum of Ethnography, both of which have won numerous prestigious international architectural awards.
In the newly released video, audiences can also virtually explore the museum of the future, which could emerge in Debrecen as a spectacular new meeting point of nature and science. In the hypermodern museum complex, the invaluable collection of the Hungarian Natural History Museum, consisting of more than 11 million items, will be presented, stored and researched under state-of-the-art conditions at a world-class level. A science-based experience complex will be created that is capable of attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.
The Natural History Museum project in Debrecen was presented at the Hungary stand at MIPIM in Cannes; the Hungarian appearance was organised by the Real Estate Developers Roundtable Association and the Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency.
The museum development fits well with the main theme of the world’s largest real estate gathering, MIPIM, which focuses on the reuse of urban spaces and technological innovation while aiming to promote sustainability in the urban environment. The iconic exhibition building envisioned by the internationally renowned Danish Bjarke Ingels Group and the Hungarian Vikár és Lukács Építész Stúdió will simultaneously function as a museum, scientific centre, ecological symbol and community space, presenting the relationship between nature and humanity in a new dimension. Supported by the Government of Hungary, this project—one of the country’s largest cultural and scientific investments—not only preserves the country’s largest national natural science collection but also presents it to the public in a new, experiential and interactive way. The project will elevate Debrecen into a leading natural science centre in Eastern Europe and a major tourism and cultural hub in the region. Through modern exhibition spaces, scientific programmes, green community areas and family-friendly services, it will attract several hundred thousand visitors annually.
An impressive animated film was also produced to present the project and debuted at MIPIM. The video invites viewers on a virtual walk through the building, showcasing the green roof, exhibition spaces and community areas, as well as how the building will connect with the environment of the Great Forest.
“We successfully presented the plans for the exhibition building and collection centre of the Hungarian Natural History Museum in Debrecen at the world’s most important international real estate exhibition. The museum of the future will further increase the city’s attractiveness. As an iconic landscape feature, it will open a new chapter in the history of Hungarian museum architecture and will be able to reach not only the Hungarian population but also residents of the Partium in Romania, Zakarpattia Oblast in Ukraine and eastern regions of Slovakia. Debrecen is not only one of the strongholds of Hungarian scientific life but will also become a cultural hub for the Eastern European region. Hungary’s centre of nature will be built in the natural centre of Debrecen. The city’s scientific base, university background and cultural infrastructure all support the project – the aim is for the city to appear as a competitive cultural force both nationally and internationally,” emphasised Ferenc Kun, Managing Director of the Debreceni Infrastruktúra Fejlesztő responsible for implementing the Debrecen exhibition building of the Hungarian Natural History Museum.
The new building of the Natural History Museum in Debrecen could become the next iconic project of contemporary Hungarian architecture and—according to international professional expectations—may become one of the most widely cited European museum buildings in the coming years.
The Government of Hungary decided in 2019 that the new modern centre of the Hungarian Natural History Museum should be built in Debrecen. In the international design competition announced for the exhibition building, the joint proposal of the Bjarke Ingels Group and the Vikár és Lukács Építész Stúdió was selected. Negotiations are currently under way with the winning applicants regarding the conditions of the contract.
A museum that gives the forest back
The new exhibition site of the Natural History Museum in Debrecen will not only be built sustainably but will also actively contribute to the ecological renewal of the Great Forest. The 23,000 m² complex, to be built on the site of the former stadium on Oláh Gábor Street, will function largely as an internal garden, while its green roof, covered with native plants, will naturally extend the forest canopy. The building’s shape and mass integrate organically into its surroundings, creating minimal visual impact and encouraging the return of wildlife and plant life.
The museum will be built close to the Hortobágy National Park World Heritage site, offering a unique opportunity to connect nature conservation, education and science. In addition to exhibition spaces, the building will also house a visitor centre, accommodation for researchers, operational areas and parking facilities.
The institution will become a centre for environmental awareness, simultaneously serving scientific knowledge dissemination, community experiences and the building of a sustainable future—demonstrating how architecture can function both as a cultural landmark and as a tool for ecological restoration.
A new era in natural science education
The collection of the Hungarian Natural History Museum is the largest natural history and anthropological collection in the Carpathian Basin, containing more than 11 million natural objects, including 360,000 species, making it one of Europe’s most significant natural science collections. Zsolt Bernert, Director General of the Hungarian Natural History Museum, stated: “The new exhibition building will be a unique museum tailored to the institution’s needs, fully supporting its educational and research activities while operating in harmony with the natural environment. The presence of the university not only guarantees a continuous supply of specialists but also provides a professional community and scientific support that is unique in Hungary. This close cooperation will offer exceptional opportunities not only for students and researchers but will also ensure that the museum can operate at the highest professional standards in the long term.”
At present, the Hungarian Natural History Museum welcomes visitors in Budapest, in the complex of the former Ludovika Military Academy. Here visitors can see unique Hungarian dinosaur fossils and reconstructions as well as explore the wildlife and minerals of the Carpathian Basin, complemented by interactive preparation demonstrations and museum education programmes.
Experience and meeting place for everyone – the open museum of the future
The new Natural History Museum will not only be an exhibition space but also a vibrant, open community venue offering experiences for all generations. Indoor and outdoor areas will be closely integrated: a roof garden, themed playground, interactive installations and an open-air stage will provide an ideal venue for families, school groups, tourists and scientific communities.
The building’s foyer and garden will function as an open meeting place, accessible free of charge even outside opening hours—transforming the museum into a new type of community experience space in the heart of Debrecen. The exhibitions will be complemented by relaxation zones, outdoor programme venues and barrier-free access, ensuring an engaging experience for all visitors, including those with special needs.
Unprecedented public support: 91% of Debrecen residents welcome the new museum
According to a representative survey conducted by Debreceni Infrastruktúra Fejlesztő, 90% of residents in Debrecen support the implementation of the museum and 91% like the visual designs. Residents are pleased that the experience environment of Zoo Debrecen and the Great Forest will be expanded with a new scientific and green centre. There is widespread agreement that the new building of the Hungarian Natural History Museum in Debrecen would positively influence the city’s cultural reputation and international tourism appeal. Two-thirds of respondents even believe that the country would lose out if the nationally significant museum designed by the world-renowned Danish architectural firm were not realised in Debrecen. Ferenc Kun, Managing Director of Debreceni Infrastruktúra Fejlesztő responsible for the project, emphasised: “Our goal is for everyone to become familiar with the museum of the future – up close, in an accessible and inspiring way. Alongside the visual designs, we have also had a scale model of the building created, which we plan to present to the public in a free exhibition.”
The world’s leading architects competed in the Debrecen museum design competition
World-renowned names in contemporary architecture participated in the international competition for the design of the new exhibition building of the Hungarian Natural History Museum, including Zaha Hadid Architects, Sauerbruch Hutton and the Danish 3XN. These studios are responsible for iconic buildings such as the MAXXI National Museum of 21st Century Arts, the M9 Museum and the Cube Berlin.
The winning concept was created jointly by the internationally renowned Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and the prominent Hungarian Vikár és Lukács Építész Stúdió. With more than 700 employees, BIG is one of the most progressive architectural studios in the world, redefining the built environment with its spectacular, sustainable and forward-looking solutions. Its works—such as the LEGO House, VIA 57 West and Sluishuis—are simultaneously innovative, playful and ecological.
The Hungarian member of the consortium, Vikár és Lukács Építész Stúdió, has been a defining player in contemporary Hungarian architecture for more than two decades. Their projects are characterised by sensitivity to the environment, high architectural quality and functional innovation. The competition was not only about excellence but also about ensuring that the new museum building in Debrecen secures a worthy place on the international architectural map—something that appears assured thanks to the work of the winning team.
Source: DIF Debrecen | Photo credit: Bjarke Ingels Group & Vikár és Lukács Építész Stúdió
