Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta has won the Budapest South Gate International Masterplan Design Competition. The brief asked for innovative proposals for a new neighborhood for 12,000 students along with educational, recreational and sports facilities. 

Snøhetta’s masterplan for the 135-hectare site focuses on urban relations and connects the new city quarter to the water to create a strong identity.

"It boldly accepts the challenge of developing a new neighborhood in Budapest that does not yet exist. It captures the opportunities of the area – offered by water, green belts and the characteristics of an island," the jury stated. 

The site provides the unique opportunity to create a lively waterfront for the people of Budapest. Water as main design element is highlighted with channels reaching far into the new district. 

Besides to the new public urban spaces along the river front, the park landscape offers recreational areas and sports facilities. Furthermore, the fluvial landscape enhances the biodiversity of the city quarter and provides for water treatment.

All parts of the urban fabric are given strong identities, relating to each other and resulting in a resilient, colorful and vibrant new district of Budapest – the South Gate Peninsula.

All images courtesy of Filippo Bolognese, Snøhetta

> via Snøhetta