Hungarian Natural History Museum – Design Competition

The Collection Centre planned for the University of Debrecen Science Park would serve as the collection, research, education and digitisation hub of the Hungarian Natural History Museum. The nearly 43,000-square-metre building would support the long-term preservation and accessibility of a natural history collection comprising more than 11 million items. In addition to storage areas, the programme includes library and archive spaces, laboratories, workshops, research rooms, offices, lecture halls and visible storage areas.

CÉH zRt. developed the architectural concept as one of the directly invited participants in the design competition. The design focused on functionality, the safe storage of collection items, the needs of research work and efficient long-term operation. The complex programme was organised within a compact, multi-storey building volume with a clear and consistent internal structure.

The individual collection units were arranged by floor in a coherent system. The related workrooms, laboratories and research areas were placed on the same level, close to the storage facilities. Functions requiring protection from natural light were located in the central core, while offices and research workspaces were positioned along the façade in naturally lit zones. This arrangement enables quick access and clearly structured workflows.

A multi-storey atrium on the southern side of the building serves as an entrance hall, a light well and a central orientation point. It provides access to the lecture halls, visible storage areas and the library reading rooms on the upper floors. Visitor and event spaces are clearly separated from operational and collection areas, while the operational zone on the basement level forms an independent unit.

One of the key strengths of the proposal was its carefully considered internal organisation. The jury specifically praised the quality of the interiors and the naturally lit central spaces. It also highlighted the logical separation of the collection, research and operational functions, while their functional connections form an integrated and practical system.

The compact building form, the energy-conscious orientation and the concentrated arrangement of functions support economical long-term operation. Naturally lit communal and research spaces, together with timber finishes in the interiors, create a calm and human-centred working environment.

Awards and recognition:

Architectural design competition for the new Collection Centre of the Hungarian Natural History Museum in Debrecen, 2026 – Special Purchase Award