MAGYAR TERMÉSZETTUDOMÁNYI MÚZEUM x BIG

We envision the Hungarian Natural History Museum as a unique “ecotone” – a transitional interface between the built and the natural environment. It is neither fully artificial nor purely natural, but integrates organically into its surroundings. Emerging from the ground, timber frames curve into gentle arches as a natural continuation of the forest, blurring the boundary between architecture and wilderness. The green roof, covered with native vegetation, attracts pollinators, provides shelter for urban wildlife, and enhances local biodiversity. Shaped like a hill, the building offers unexpected panoramas over the tree canopy and urban landscape of the Great Plain, creating an immersive and distinctive experience within Debrecen’s communal fabric.

The concept stems from a profound belief that a natural history museum must grow out of nature itself and coexist in harmony with it. This is not a conventional building, but a transformation of the landscape – a structure that emerges from the earth to form inhabitable space. By minimizing its environmental footprint, it integrates seamlessly with the forest, working in cooperation with the trees that provide shade in summer and allow sunlight through in winter after shedding their leaves. It is a place where wildlife can thrive naturally, while its history and legacy are preserved within the walls. The building is designed with outstanding performance in energy efficiency, water management, and overall environmental impact reduction.

The museum is more than an institution – it is a meeting point where people and disciplines come together to inspire and generate new perspectives. More than a space for exhibitions, it is a living and constantly evolving environment where science and the public meet, where education connects with community, and conservation aligns with innovation. It is an institution that not only showcases the story of nature but actively contributes to its preservation. It is a building that demonstrates how architecture can be both a cultural landmark and a tool for ecological restoration.

The museum’s full 23,000 m² program includes four permanent and one temporary exhibition space, reception and community areas, offices, and facilities serving the collections. The main functional zones are located near the central space, taking advantage of the generous ceiling heights and interwoven spatial organization.

Ecotone:
A transitional area between two ecosystems or ecological communities. Ecotones may be natural or artificial and can occur at various scales.