thesis
Alternative communities and their living space in Hungary. Case study of Krishna Valley and Magfalva
I attempt to examine two ecovillages, the Krishna Valley in the spirit of Krishna consciousness and Magfalva, which follow quasi-religious teachings. I present their worldview, the way of life organized in this light and the built environment that serves it. I highlight the similarities and differences, looking for basic motifs that can serve as inspiration either as an architect or as an individual living in the age of global consumer civilization. I visited the two settlements, participated in their programs, and interviewed a member of the community. The most important part of my research is this fieldwork, the knowledge of which is supplemented by the lessons of sociological, cultural anthropological, philosophical, religious, ethnographic works, sacred texts, lectures, reports and content published on the online interfaces of the groups.
masterwork
Lutheran Community House on Kálvária street
The possibility of solidarity, community and the coexistence of culture and cult provides a particularly good basis for community housing. The essence of the concept is that the Lutheran Church and the Municipality of Józsefváros create a residential building with both urban and community functions, following the principle of mutual benefit. The site is a corner plot on the corner of Kőris and Kálvária streets, close to the current Lutheran community life center, the functions of which would be complemented by the new building. There would also be a chapel, communal spaces and offices. The program also includes a laundry, which also functions as a café, a community workshop and tool rental, and a canteen with a kitchen, which can be a venue for charities. These features, which are also open to the city, have been located on the gallery floor, which is closely connected to the small-scale public spaces designed at street level. On the upper floors, on five floors, there are apartments of different sizes (from studio to ten-person dormitory) and common areas for residents (kitchen, babysitting, living room, co-working office, roof garden and terraces) that support community coexistence. As with program and use, openness was the buzzword in the mass play of the building. The playful wooden structure of the living levels rests on the ground floor masses. The boxes, which are slid on top of each other, are connected by outdoor walkers, bringing a variety of spatial situations and insights to life. These platforms are important parts of house life, widening in some places, forming communal terraces. The church’s chapel is housed in a garden inside the block, evoking an archetype of shrines open to the sky.