Latest
issue
Uniting the world of spa & wellness
Get Spa Business and Spa Business insider digital magazines FREE
Sign up here ▸
News   Features   Products   Company profilesProfiles   Press releasesProfiles   Magazine   Handbook   Advertise    Subscribe  
NEWS
Snøhetta and SANAA are head to head in final competition for Budapest's Ludwig Museum job
POSTED 21 Apr 2015 . BY Tom Anstey
Snøhetta's design sees the museum and gallery built under one roof, which doubles as a grand plaza Credit: Snøhetta Architects
Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta and Japanese design studio SANAA have both been awarded first place in a contest to design the New National Gallery and Ludwig Museum in Budapest, Hungary.

Part of plans for Europe’s largest museum development, the announcement is the final piece of the puzzle in Budapest's HUF75bn (US$277m, €235m, £183m) cultural quarter.

While both firms have been named winner of the contest, only one of the two designs will be built. The winning design will join Vallet de Martinis DIID Architectes’ Museum of Ethnography, Sou Fujimoto Architects’ House of Hungarian Music, as well as the PhotoMuseum and Museum of Hungarian Architecture – both designed by Hungarian firm KÖZTI Architects & Engineers.

Snøhetta’s plans would see the museum and gallery built under one roof, with the site also doubling as a grand public terrace. The 51,000sq m (549,000sq ft) development would, according to Snøhetta: “Symbolise the meeting point of two art institutions, the meeting of light and earth at the horizon simultaneously resolving practicalities of daylighting and embodying gravity at the meeting of the Ludwig Museum and the New National Gallery.”

SANAA’s plans envision an “extension to the park” with the design using a roof with overlapping curved planes.

"Ours is a contemporary form of public space – one where city, gardens and exhibition rooms become part of an experiential whole," said the studio. "It is a museum that fluctuates with seasonal shifts."

The tie between the two design teams was the result of a second competition, after the initial contest found no suitable submissions among 80 entries. Project Commissioner László Baán said that the winning entry “would be a modern, contemporary building of outstanding architectural value that meets 21st-century requirements and is worthy both for the City Park and for one of the most important public collections of Hungary".



Built within the framework of Budapest’s largest park, Városliget, the development will see old buildings onsite demolished, with around 65 per cent of the park’s green space retained. Work on the development is expected to start in 2016, with the museum quarter to be open by March 2018.

Credit: SANNA
Credit: SANNA
Credit: SANNA
SANNA's design uses a roof with overlapping curved planes Credit: SANNA
Credit: Snøhetta Architects
Credit: Snøhetta Architects
Credit: Snøhetta Architects
PROJECT PROFILE:

National Gallery and Ludwig Museum, Budapest Competition
Several ‘Starchitects’ have been asked to compete in a newly launched competition to design the New National Gallery and Ludwig Museum in Budapest, Hungary. A previous open competition was recently abandoned as the jury had ‘not found any entry suitable for implementation based on the assessment criteria’.

Location: Budapest , Hungary
Size: n/a
Budget: n/a

RELATED STORIES
  Budapest finalises plans for US$277m cultural museum quarter


Final plans for Europe’s largest museum development have been revealed with new renderings released for the HUF75bn (US$277m, €235m, £183m) cultural quarter known as Park Budapest in Hungary.
  Competition launched for new Budapest National Gallery and Ludwig Museum


Several high profile architects have been asked to compete in a newly launched competition to design the New National Gallery and Ludwig Museum in Budapest, Hungary.
MORE NEWS
Longevitix launches AI-powered platform to deliver longevity medicine at scale
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI- powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity- focused care at scale.
Atmantan Wellness Centre announces new wellness destination in Hyderabad
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and 2029.
The Retreat Costa Rica debuts Vida Mía Longevity Centre
Luxury wellness resort, The Retreat Costa Rica, has introduced its Vida Mía Longevity Centre at the property’s Vida Mía Healing Centre and Spa.
Almost half of spa survey respondents are unaware cancer is a disability and not adapting treatments is discrimination
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
+ More news   

FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Aquaform is designing water as an experience
In the world of spa design, reducing water to a functional component misses the point. [more...]

Longevity in spas: a strategic choice, not a default setting
Longevity has become one of the most debated concepts in contemporary wellness. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Knesko Skin

Known for their unique approach to wellness and beauty, Knesko’s products combine ancient healing tr [more...]
Seed To Skin

Founded by Jeanette Thottrup in 2018, in Tuscany, Seed to Skin is an award winning skincare line. [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
 

+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
09-12 Jun 2026

W3Spa EMEA

Hotel Cascais Miragem Health & Spa, Portugal
+ More diary  
 
ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
 
SPA BUSINESS
SPA OPPORTUNITIES
SPA BUSINESS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026
Uniting the world of spa & wellness
Get Spa Business and Spa Business insider digital magazines FREE
Sign up here ▸
News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
Snøhetta and SANAA are head to head in final competition for Budapest's Ludwig Museum job
POSTED 21 Apr 2015 . BY Tom Anstey
Snøhetta's design sees the museum and gallery built under one roof, which doubles as a grand plaza Credit: Snøhetta Architects
Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta and Japanese design studio SANAA have both been awarded first place in a contest to design the New National Gallery and Ludwig Museum in Budapest, Hungary.

Part of plans for Europe’s largest museum development, the announcement is the final piece of the puzzle in Budapest's HUF75bn (US$277m, €235m, £183m) cultural quarter.

While both firms have been named winner of the contest, only one of the two designs will be built. The winning design will join Vallet de Martinis DIID Architectes’ Museum of Ethnography, Sou Fujimoto Architects’ House of Hungarian Music, as well as the PhotoMuseum and Museum of Hungarian Architecture – both designed by Hungarian firm KÖZTI Architects & Engineers.

Snøhetta’s plans would see the museum and gallery built under one roof, with the site also doubling as a grand public terrace. The 51,000sq m (549,000sq ft) development would, according to Snøhetta: “Symbolise the meeting point of two art institutions, the meeting of light and earth at the horizon simultaneously resolving practicalities of daylighting and embodying gravity at the meeting of the Ludwig Museum and the New National Gallery.”

SANAA’s plans envision an “extension to the park” with the design using a roof with overlapping curved planes.

"Ours is a contemporary form of public space – one where city, gardens and exhibition rooms become part of an experiential whole," said the studio. "It is a museum that fluctuates with seasonal shifts."

The tie between the two design teams was the result of a second competition, after the initial contest found no suitable submissions among 80 entries. Project Commissioner László Baán said that the winning entry “would be a modern, contemporary building of outstanding architectural value that meets 21st-century requirements and is worthy both for the City Park and for one of the most important public collections of Hungary".



Built within the framework of Budapest’s largest park, Városliget, the development will see old buildings onsite demolished, with around 65 per cent of the park’s green space retained. Work on the development is expected to start in 2016, with the museum quarter to be open by March 2018.

Credit: SANNA
Credit: SANNA
Credit: SANNA
SANNA's design uses a roof with overlapping curved planes Credit: SANNA
Credit: Snøhetta Architects
Credit: Snøhetta Architects
Credit: Snøhetta Architects
RELATED STORIES
Budapest finalises plans for US$277m cultural museum quarter


Final plans for Europe’s largest museum development have been revealed with new renderings released for the HUF75bn (US$277m, €235m, £183m) cultural quarter known as Park Budapest in Hungary.
Competition launched for new Budapest National Gallery and Ludwig Museum


Several high profile architects have been asked to compete in a newly launched competition to design the New National Gallery and Ludwig Museum in Budapest, Hungary.
MORE NEWS
Longevitix launches AI-powered platform to deliver longevity medicine at scale
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI- powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity- focused care at scale.
Atmantan Wellness Centre announces new wellness destination in Hyderabad
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and 2029.
The Retreat Costa Rica debuts Vida Mía Longevity Centre
Luxury wellness resort, The Retreat Costa Rica, has introduced its Vida Mía Longevity Centre at the property’s Vida Mía Healing Centre and Spa.
Almost half of spa survey respondents are unaware cancer is a disability and not adapting treatments is discrimination
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
Solmar Hotels and Resorts offers Temazcal ceremony for Global Wellness Day
Mexican operator, Solmar Hotels and Resorts, is hosting a series of events in celebration of Global Wellness Day, including a Temazcal ceremony at its Playa Grande Resort and Spa in Los Cabos.
Mandarin Oriental announces standalone Mansions-branded residences for Abu Dhabi
Mandarin Oriental has announced a standalone residence brand, Mansions, which will debut at Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi, in 2029.
+ More news   
 
FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Aquaform is designing water as an experience
In the world of spa design, reducing water to a functional component misses the point. [more...]

Longevity in spas: a strategic choice, not a default setting
Longevity has become one of the most debated concepts in contemporary wellness. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Knesko Skin

Known for their unique approach to wellness and beauty, Knesko’s products combine ancient healing tr [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
09-12 Jun 2026

W3Spa EMEA

Hotel Cascais Miragem Health & Spa, Portugal
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS