The Anthill
My diploma project was a vertical public space operating within a cooperative model, inspired by the core principles of commoning, such as treating knowledge as an inexhaustible resource, sharing reproductive labor, and recognizing the significance of transitional spaces. The Anthill is a community initiative that operates based on the principles of a sharing economy. The issue I address is based on my thesis research, where I examined the role and evolving function of urban public spaces. The quality and quantity of public spaces, or the extent of our involvement in their planning, can trigger significant social changes, ideally contributing to the strengthening of local communities. I propose a design program that, alongside architectural interventions, can serve as a catalyst for creating a cooperative system. The program is integrated in Újpest’s urban fabric, where suburban, residential, and industrial zones are closely intertwined. My location is the former warehouse of the Chinoin pharmaceutical company, which has been vacant for thirty years. The seven-story monolithic reinforced concrete structure is being revitalized with industrial, gastronomic, and cultural functions, bringing new life to the building.
location - Budapest 4th district (HU)
consultants- Molnár Beáta, Máté Tamás
photos - Majnár Rebeka, Urbex Magyarország
year- 2024
Location
The warehouse of the Chinoin pharmaceutical company is located in Budapest’s 4th district. The area sits at the boundary of the industrial and suburban zones, with the apartment blocks of the socialist times just two streets away. Nearby institutions such as Berlin Industrial Park, the Újpesti Power Plant, the Károlyi Sándor Hospital, and Károli Gáspár Reformed University all represent urban functions, forming a workplace zone. The infrastructure of the area reflects the typical standards of suburban districts. Social institutions (healthcare, education, administration) are adequately available in the residential zone, but the lack of third spaces in both quality and quantity is striking.
In the immediate vicinity of the building, there is a kindergarten, whose daily operations could be enriched with new program opportunities through the revitalization of the warehouse. The building shares a plot with the Stephaneum, a former home for the elderly, which has also been vacant since the political transition. It was renovated in 2014 with the goal of being repurposed as a retirement home, but this has not yet happened.
Program
Based on the site analysis, I found that the most appropriate solution would be to create a mixed-use building that functions as a gastronomic and recreational center. This includes food-related production, consumption, and associated educational activities. Additionally, the building will host various cultural and community events, which are currently lacking for the residents of Újpest. The program mix includes a canteen, which also provides food for the neighboring retirement home, a café, and a cooperative-owned grocery store. The middle floors feature two multi-functional event spaces of different sizes and three community workshops (for clothing repair, electronics, and woodworking). The upper floors house a cheese manufactory and a vertical farm, which also function as knowledge-sharing centers for visitors. This is just one potential vision for utilizing the building, addressing the current shortcomings in the area. The structure of the building allows the functions to evolve over time in response to changing needs.
There are multiple routes to explore the building. The terraces on each floor are connected by an external staircase on the facade, which also functions as an urban hiking trail. This trail can be incorporated into a 2x45-minute class, allowing local schoolchildren and kindergarteners to learn about the building’s operations without having to enter the production areas. At the end of the trail, a communal rooftop terrace offers a space where anyone can enjoy the panoramic view or have a barbecue without the pressure to purchase anything