Our reader wrote:
Let's start there, what is a cord? Those who are as old as me all know this simple game, the essence of which is that everyone has to throw coins on the drawn line, and if someone's has landed there, then the only way to win is if someone else throws their own coin on top of that line, or he uses his coin to push the other one out of there. As children, we played this with 10-20, maximum 50 filers, from our frozen money. We don't even have pennies anymore, and we don't have to help anyone upstairs with the ice blocks carried by the horse-drawn carriage from Aunt Kupsa, the greengrocer. Aunt Kupsa is no longer there with her vegetable shop on the porch.
Blaha Lujza tér is a super rope course! First of all, millions flew to the line there, maybe they even knocked out some of the placed winners. When it was time to put it into use, there were a lot of slips and slides! Now, after the handover, there are plenty of lines, you can find them everywhere on the huge pavement, but we wouldn't throw money there - nor should we anywhere else.
I do not wish to be an unwelcome provocateur, nor to take on the role of a competent expert opinion maker, but I have not seen a professional expression of opinion (which is otherwise free - EU Charter of Fundamental Rights / 11. - therefore also for the so-called right wing), so due to my professional involvement, I would like to share a few thoughts about our beautiful profession - but not to speak in defense of those who abuse it.
The layout plans for Blaha Lujza tér were drawn up by my late university teacher László Dalányi - at the same time my office supervisor. This is what my former university teacher, prof., wrote about him in his obituary. Imre Jámbor: "he was a teacher and a master in the noblest sense of the word for all of us who are involved in garden design and outdoor architecture at home today. László Dalányi... Already during his university studies, he participated in the planning and research work of the Department of Garden Design led by Imre Ormos as a demonstrator. In 1950, he obtained an engineering diploma in landscape and garden architecture. After graduating, he worked for a short time as a construction manager in the Garden Construction Department of the Capital Horticulture Company".
Chief landscape architect Sándor Bardóczi, on his internet blog; In Memoriam Dr. László Dalányi c. in his writing in 2007, he wrote: "It is known that, as head of the Technical and Design Department of the ÉVM, he did a lot to ensure that the landscape and garden architecture profession finds its points of connection (or at least survival) in the maze of construction. As the first president of the Hungarian National Committee of UNESCO, his task was to organize the preservation of Hungary's built and natural heritage. As young titans, we knew very little about this."
I don't know if Sándor Bardóczi was aware of who designed the Blaha Lujza square, but it is certain that not only the structural values of the square, but also the former important work of art were changed in a degrading way. The original trickling ornamental fountain and pool with a complex composition, the creation of Dániel Fekete, has disappeared, and now only the torso that remains as a watery metal surface emptying into a cover drain reminds us of it.
The photo of the former work can be seen in the Köztérkép collection (Uploaded by Ády, 13.08.2019)
Béla Nestzák wrote his comment there on 02/03/2009: "metal umbrellas on 120-130 cm metal pipes in the 600×600 cm 25 cm high stone pool. The archive footage shows that there were originally several UFOs, but they have since left this dirty space.”
The excellent creators of Lépték Terv Tájépítéz Iroda do not need protection, but it is enough to take a look at the terms of reference of the Public Procurement Authority, notification number 2021/118, issued on 06/22/2021:
"The main tasks of the winning bidder:
— Design and construction tasks for the implementation of the Blaha Lujza tér reconstruction project
— Revising construction plans based on the Planning Disposition issued by BKK Zrt,...
The detailed planning task is contained in the Planning Disposition.
The main quantities of execution works:
— paving stone, with complete track structure – 5642 m2
— creation of visible concrete wall/retaining wall — 217 m2
— placement of burgundy public chairs — 84 pieces
— water feature nozzles sunk into the covering — 38 pieces
— mushroom fountain (3 nozzles) — 1 piece
— large cube stone construction of paving – 1150 m2
— construction of concrete pavement – 1400 m2
— construction of concrete pavement – 2550 m2
— construction of cast asphalt pavement – 1304 m2
— conversion of junctions with traffic lights – 3 pcs
— Underpass renovation – 1100 m2
— Sewer construction – 257 fm
— water pipeline construction – 280 fm
— 10 kV cable laying – 295 fm"
Such a recipe requires the cooking science of Tamás Széll - and apparently of the Lépték Design Office - to turn it into an "edible" product.
In my opinion, any space design that lacks a unique creative spirit is unworthy of the place! How is it possible to revise a design plan of this kind, excuse me, but according to a technical list?
Another question, where did the financial background of the content of the original plan documentation prepared by the mayor István Tarlós, the elevator, the bus stop, the community exhibition space, the cafe go?
Katalin K. Hlatki, in the Budapest Green Guide regarding the old square: p.92. Blaha Lujza tér: "...The tree planting was done by the Capital Horticulture with 20-25-year-old trees, so that the small park can be established as soon as possible...". Yes, as we heard from Mayor Gergely Karácsony; the characteristic of trees is that they take time to grow, indicating that "super green afforestation" is hardly visible at the moment! Mr. Bardóczi must know - but I think everyone does - that there are too old trees that can be transplanted in nurseries.
IN MEMORIAM László DALÁNYI!
Our reader Károly Kós is an award-winning retired senior designer, landscape and garden architect
- 12.11.
Opening image: The renovated Blaha Lujza Square in Budapest on December 12, 2022.
MTI/Zoltán Balogh
