This month we present a series of plans found in the collection of the HMA MPDC Hungarian Museum of Architecture and connected to the name of Győző Czigler.
There were already small bathing facilities on the so-called Nádor Island on the banks of the City Park Lake when Czigler’s studio first made plans for their expansion in 1884. Although the city postponed construction for financial reasons, the architect stuck with the project and returned to the plans for the baths numerous times throughout his career. To design the most up-to-date building, he sought out Europe’s most important and newest baths during his study trips. Bad Homburg and Charlottenburg are worth highlighting amongst his well-known destinations. He submitted numerous design variations, some including a restaurant, hotel, swimming pool and other elements. He was not able to live to see the fruit of his long efforts, because he died in 1905. The task was handed over to his studio director, Ede Dvořák, who had been his loyal colleague since 1883. Dvořák, teamed with another of Czigler’s good friends, Kálmán Gerster, completed the Széchenyi Baths between 1909 and 1913, which today is one of Budapest’s most popular tourist destinations.
Drawings from several phases of the design process for the baths can be found in our collection, and thus we have found examples of a Neo-Renaissance design from 1884 and a later Neo-Baroque version. The design of a pool drawn by Ede Dvořák from when Czigler was still alive is also worth noting. Also linked to Dvořák’s name are the plans for a sanatorium that they wanted to connect to the Czigler wing of the present-day baths.
Enikő Tóth
