Debrecen4U October 8, 2026

UD Faculty of Engineering’s Dryer Workshop Among Top Buildings in Europe

The renovation project of the Dryer Workshop on Szombathi István Street has achieved an outstanding result in a prestigious international architecture competition, the University of Debrecen announced. Once used for drying hides, the building was converted more than two years ago and is now used as a studio building by the Department of Architecture at the university’s Faculty of Engineering.

The Dryer Workshop has been shortlisted among the top 40 projects out of several hundred entries in the EUmies Awards, one of the most prestigious international architecture awards celebrating contemporary European architecture. To mark the occasion, FUGA Budapest Centre of Architecture and KÉK Contemporary Architecture Centre organised a guided tour of the building.

The renovation of the industrial heritage building, dating from the early 1900s and standing in the courtyard of the former Tímárház (Tannery), and its conversion into an educational and community space were carried out through cooperation between the city and the university. Completed in June 2024, the facility now houses a studio operated by the Department of Architecture at the University of Debrecen’s Faculty of Engineering. Architecture students use the space to produce drawings and models, sit their final examinations and take part in practical sessions where they can gain first-hand experience with various building materials.

Speaking about the EUmies Awards, János Vági, Head of the Department of Architecture, explained that the award established in 1988 is presented every two years to architectural works of outstanding quality that are sustainable and have a significant social impact. The award, presented in three categories, was established jointly by the European Commission and the Fundació Mies van der Rohe in Barcelona. “This year, the jury was chaired by Chilean architect Smiljan Radić Clarke, who primarily wanted to recognise the renovation and exemplary reuse of existing buildings, although completed works and diploma projects by young architects were also rewarded. Nominations are made by professional organisations,” the head of department explained.

The Dryer Workshop was the only one of the 11 architectural projects nominated from Hungary to make it onto the EUmies Awards’ shortlist of the top 40. “This is a tremendous achievement, particularly given that a total of 410 buildings were assessed by the jury. In almost every respect, the project met the criteria of being realised with minimal means and limited funding, on a community basis and following a student design competition,” János Vági said.

Edit Huszthy, Associate Professor at the Department of Architecture of the University of Debrecen’s Faculty of Engineering, spoke about how she discovered the building in 2014, when it was still in very poor condition and had once formed part of the Tímárház complex, and explained how preparations for its renovation got underway.

Dóra Szuszik, Assistant Lecturer at the Department of Architecture of the University of Debrecen’s Faculty of Engineering, who was one of three students whose design won the relevant student competition, also provided visitors with an insight into the details of the reconstruction.

Those taking part in the tour were able to learn not only about the history of the Dryer Workshop and the educational activities now taking place there, but also to view an exhibition of work by architecture students from the University of Debrecen’s Faculty of Engineering in the courtyard.

Source: dehir.hu | Photo credit: Debrecen városa (Facebook)