Hungarian Academy of Sciences headquarters revamp to start this summer

MTA, as it is preparing for its 200th anniversary, plans to welcome members of the science community and those interested in science in a more open, better equipped and sustainably operating building thanks to the revamp, the organisation said in a statement on Thursday.

The current headquarters in Szechenyi Istvan Square in Budapest was built from public donations between 1862 and 1865, marking the start of neo-Renaissance historicism in the city. The revamp will involve the headquarters on a total floor space of 12,000sqm and a building behind it which currently houses the library. One of the aims is to increase the proportion of public spaces and open new exhibition halls to make the building more accessible to the public and also provide disabled access, the statement said.

The first phase to start this summer will also include the full upgrade of the roof structure and large windows in order to make the building more energy efficient. After the completion of the first phase planned in 2024, the revamp of the square in front of the building will involve replacing the current parking area with green surfaces, which is planned to be completed for the 200th anniversary in 2025. The second phase of the project will also involve building a new conference hall for 300 people, new reception area for the library and the opening of public spaces in the building.