Debrecen4U
July 8, 2025
Another milestone in the development of the Hungarian Natural History Museum in Debrecen
“The construction of the new home of the Hungarian Natural History Museum in Debrecen has reached another significant milestone,” Debreceni Infrastructure Development Ltd., which is organising the design competition, announced.
Following the successful conclusion of the international design competition for the exhibition building, which was won by the world-famous Danish Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and Vikár and Lukács Architect Studio Ltd., a new invited architectural design competition reaching EU thresholds is now being launched.
This time, the city of Debrecen is looking for the most outstanding architectural firms to design the Collection Centre, which will provide the scientific and collection background for the Hungarian Natural History Museum. The call for applications can be found here.
“While the Exhibition Building in the Great Forest on the site of the former Oláh Gábor Street stadium, will be closely linked to the natural environment free from human interference, the Collection Centre will be integrated into the scientific ecosystem of the University of Debrecen,” they stressed.
The two separate, but complementary buildings will create a complex museum infrastructure that can both represent the spectacular world of natural sciences to the public and ensure the highest quality of the underlying collection, research and education activities.
The design competition is being held by Debrecen Infrastructure Development Ltd. The aim of the announced design competition is to create a modern science centre in the Science Park of the University of Debrecen, which will provide a worthy backdrop for the museum’s internationally outstanding research and collection activities. The planned institution will not only be a prominent base for the systematisation and preservation of natural science knowledge, but also, in cooperation with the University of Debrecen, will provide a place for future researchers through practical training and multidisciplinary collaborations.
As a unique knowledge centre of Hungarian natural science research, the Collection Centre contributes to the understanding of biological and geological diversity and sustainability issues. The facility will be a modern alternative to the museum’s current, infrastructurally outdated warehouses and research units operating at several locations. With a net floor area of 42,839 m², the new building will house libraries, research laboratories, offices, lecture halls and community spaces in addition to collection warehouses and workshops.
Designers are expected to provide forward-looking, carefully developed functional architectural solutions that simultaneously reflect the spirit of scientific innovation and respect for nature. The evaluation of the entries will focus on high-level service to scientific needs, protection of artifacts, and the harmony of sustainability and aesthetic quality.
The timeline of the procedure can be viewed on the design competition website. One of the main milestones is the deadline for submitting pre-qualification documentation, July 28, 2025, 2:00 p.m. In the first, so-called participation phase of the design competition, the suitability of the applicants is assessed. The Contracting Authority invites a maximum of 14 design firms to submit their entries, of which 4 are selected based on a direct call. The total award amount of the competition is HUF 30 million gross. The Contracting Authority intends to conclude a design contract with the winning applicant through a negotiated procedure without a public notice for the preparation of the final architectural documentation of the museum centre.
With the construction of the Collection Centre, Debrecen will become a new internationally renowned centre for scientific research and knowledge sharing. The city will not only showcase the wonders of nature, but will also actively contribute to their future conservation and to the development of scientific dialogue.
Source:dehir.hu |Photo credit:debrecen.hu
