Interview with Zoltán Tima, Design Director of KÖZTI Architects

12 Jun Interview with Zoltán Tima, Design Director of KÖZTI Architects

KÖZTI has been shaping Hungary’s built environment for over 70 years, with a legacy of iconic civic, commercial and cultural projects. As a premier architectural and engineering firm, could you provide an overview of the company?

KÖZTI was founded in 1949 and is one of Hungary’s most established architectural firms. It began as a state-owned company during the Soviet era, when architects were grouped into large institutions. In 1991, following the political shift, KÖZTI was privatized and bought by its employees. Today, it operates as a shareholding company owned and managed by its staff. We have around 65 employees, including 45 architects, and we work across all design fields. Our portfolio includes major projects such as the Puskás Ferenc Stadium in Budapest, a modern reconstruction of the original 1953 People’s Stadium, which KÖZTI also designed. We have led the design of new airport buildings since 2007, including the SkyCourt and the new pier. Another key project was the complete transformation of Kossuth Lajos Square around the Hungarian Parliament. After 50 years, the space became fully pedestrianized with new park areas and an underground garage. We also designed the Parliament’s visitor center, which now welcomes nearly 700,000 visitors annually, an impressive figure even by international standards.

In addition to major public projects, we also design commercial buildings, offices, hotels and residential developments. In recent years, we have been especially active in tourism-related projects in Budapest and around Lake Balaton, the largest lake in Central Europe and a key Hungarian resort area. One of our current flagship projects is the new campus for Pázmány Péter Catholic University (PPCU), located in central Budapest behind the National Museum, on the former site of Hungarian National Radio. The 60,000 square meter development will serve over 4,000 students and 1,000 faculty members. It will revitalize the area, reintegrating it into the city after decades as a closed-off zone.

We also continue to work on large residential developments and smaller projects outside the capital. KÖZTI primarily operates in Hungary, but we occasionally pursue international opportunities. Over the past 40 years, we have had foreign offices, including a major presence in Algeria during the 1970s and ’80s, where we designed over 300 buildings. Although the office closed in 1988, we are now in talks — supported by Hungarian investment efforts — to resume work there, particularly in building refurbishment. We also had an office in the UAE, where we designed several hospitals in the 1990s. Today, we continue to participate in architectural competitions, mainly across Central Europe.

How is architecture and urban development evolving in Hungary today and what impact could this have on Central and Eastern Europe’s future growth?

Budapest has undergone remarkable development over the past 10–15 years. Public spaces, squares and many historic buildings have been renewed, especially in the city center. New hotels have opened, making the city more attractive for both residents and tourists. The Buda Castle area, once neglected, has seen major restoration, with entire blocks rebuilt and now drawing large numbers of visitors.

Similarly, downtown Pest has been revitalized, with places like Parliament Square and riverfront promenades transformed into vibrant tourist routes along the Danube. We regularly participate in architecture competitions across Central and Southeastern Europe. Notable events include the BIG SEE Architecture Award, founded in Slovenia, which highlights outstanding projects from the region, from the former Yugoslav states to Poland. Another key initiative is Romania’s SHARE Architecture Award, which combines awards with conferences across Central Europe, showcasing the latest architectural developments. The region has seen impressive growth over the past 10–15 years and Hungary remains a strong contributor to this progress.

Is there a current or upcoming project you are especially proud of, whether residential or historical renovation?

Alongside the new PPCU campus in Budapest, we are currently working on several residential projects in the city and around Lake Balaton. We are also involved in a major university development in Pécs, a large academic center in southern Hungary with 30,000 students, many of them international, especially in medicine. Our project there is a cutting-edge genetic laboratory, funded by the European Union. At the same time, we are designing a new 20,000 square meter educational building for Semmelweis University in Budapest, featuring lecture halls, a central restaurant and library and a 1,000-seat auditorium — all in the heart of the university district.

What challenges do you face when introducing innovation and modern technology in culturally sensitive areas and how do you address them?

Budapest is like a living museum — its city center was built almost entirely in a 15-year span at the turn of the 20th century. Iconic projects like the parliament and Royal Castle were constructed simultaneously, creating a remarkable architectural legacy. Working in central Budapest means navigating this rich heritage with great care. One example is our work on Kossuth Square, where we added underground visitor facilities to the parliament in a sensitive, unobtrusive way.

We also recently completed the first phase of restoring the 200-year-old Hungarian Academy of Sciences building, a historic landmark on the Danube near Széchenyi Square. The Academy was founded by Count Istvan Széchenyi and designed by German architects. It now features a renewed main hall and attic, with original elements carefully reconstructed. When restoring such buildings, our goal is to meet modern standards while honoring their historical character.

What is your current status on partnerships and investments? Are you considering expanding into Europe or pursuing US partnerships?

Our main focus remains the Hungarian market, especially Budapest, though we are open to opportunities abroad. Over the past 20–25 years, we have worked with many foreign investors — German, Israeli and American — and have developed expertise in international collaboration, including language and technical skills.

We are also deeply committed to sustainability. We created an in-house sustainability group to promote low-carbon materials, energy-efficient design and environmentally friendly solutions. This is the future of architecture and we are ready to support our clients with these capabilities.

How do you approach digitalization in your firm and how important is it in architecture?

Digitalization is essential. When I started 36 years ago, we used pencil and ink on tracing paper. Today, every step of our work relies on digital tools. At KÖZTI, we have a dedicated building information modeling (BIM) group. BIM has become a core method in architecture, integrating all design data into a 3D model used throughout construction and building operation. We use ArchiCAD and AutoCAD-based software, and our team is highly skilled in these tools.

What is your vision and main goals for KÖZTI over the next 3 to 5 years?

We can’t predict what will happen in the next five years, but we aim to be more open to sustainability and environmentally friendly architecture. We want to improve our efficiency, stay aware of global changes and remain flexible to adapt quickly, no matter what comes our way.