What architecture should be: material, space and function.
The history of architecture was interrupted in the 1920s, after Art Nouveau and before the avant-garde Modern Movement. The architects of that time, who believed in simplicity, sincerity and clarity, were on the right track. As we can read in the book Habitat by Hans van der Heijden and Rick Wessels: “There are no more big themes in architecture.” We should continue this history and try to focus on timeless architecture that can show the way towards the future.
MATERIAL is the essence of architecture, and can also mean construction. Materials are the body of architecture; they can tell stories about places, periods, societies and history. Materials are the living skin of architecture.
SPACE is the place in which people live. Architects must design and build spaces in which users can shape their lives. Spaces should be adaptable and must be built to last.
FUNCTION does not simply mean the utility of a space. A good building and a good room (space) can accommodate many different functions, because we design our buildings to last for a long time, and spaces must respond to the changes of time.
What users of architecture will need in the future is a sense of calmness, slowness and safety.
Ádám Balog
Dipl-Ing. Architect TU
Budapest – 1989
Studies
2014: Diploma – University of Technology and Economics – Faculty of Architecture – Budapest (Hungary)
2013: University of Liechtenstein – Faculty of Architecture (ERASMUS Studies) – Vaduz (Liechtenstein)
2007-2014: University of Technology and Economics – Faculty of Architecture – Budapest (Hungary)
1999-2007: Táncsics Mihály Grammar School – Dabas (Hungary)
Work experience
2023-: Galli Rudolf Architekten – architect (Zürich – CH)
2021-2023: ARGE Gunz&Künzle Architekten and Miebach Oberholzer Architekten – architect (Zürich – CH)
2020-2021: Office of Mireya Heredero – architect (Zürich – CH)
2017-2020: Office of Prof. Ueli Zbinden – architect (Zürich – CH)
2014-2016: Lutz&Buss Architekten – architect (Zürich – CH)
2014: Soppelsa Architekten – internship (Zürich – CH)
2008-2013: Trafik Kör – Contemporary Art Association – artistic director (Dabas – H)
2012,2013: MádiLáncos Architecture Studio – internship (Budapest – H)
2007-: occasional freelance works
Prizes
2024: Iceland Ski Snow Cabin – international competition – shortlisted project
2021: House Klapka: selected building in the “Young Architects in Black-and-White 2021” competition (Hungary)
2021: House Klapka: selected for the exhibition of the “Houses of the V4 Countries” (Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia)
2014: Hauszmann Prize – Landscape Laboratory, Dabas (Hungary) – diploma prize of the Faculty of Architecture of TU Budapest (BUTE)
2013: TU Budapest/BUTE-Student Research Conference – Architecture Critic and Theory section 1. prize (research theme: Sincerity and identity – Contemporary Czech architecture in the context of cultural identity)
2012: Greater Grace International School – ideas competition for BUTE students – 2. prize
2012: Revitalization of the garden of the church in Kelenvölgy – national ideas competition for students (with Éva Sára Varga) – honorable mention
2010: Media Architecture Prize – Trafik Contemporary Art Gallery (with Trafik Kör) – 4. prize
2010: Local Architecture Heritage Prize – Trafik Contemporary Art Gallery (with Trafik Kör)
2009: Insula Lutherana belfry for a lutheran church – national ideas competition for students – 3. prize
