‘Innovation, Inspiration, Interaction and Integration’ at Corvinus Gellért Campus
Corvinus University rector Lajos Szabó at the official opening of the Gellért Campus.
After three years of architectural design, development and construction, the newly unveiled Gellért Campus of Corvinus University was officially inaugurated with the symbolic handover of the campus keys created in the new building’s innovative Makerspace classroom.
“The Gellért Campus aims to show how a 21st-century university of economics and social sciences works. The building is a symbol of the future and of connections. It is a quality facility that is the home of the four ‘Is:’ innovation, inspiration, interaction and integration. These are the key factors that make this place special,” Lajos Szabó, rector of Corvinus University of Budapest, told the audience at the opening ceremony on Feb. 22.
Throughout the campus, much emphasis has been placed on communal areas and open spaces, aiming to invoke connections between students.
“The building itself is just stone, iron and glass. This building is defined by the spirit with which you, the students, fill it,” explained Minister of Culture and Innovation János Csák as he addressed students.
“It is this spirit, this soul, that will determine the future of the university. We have an identity not only as individuals, not only as Hungarians; we also have an identity through the institutions where we study and work. Good institutions are those where some kind of identity is formed. It is a pleasure to see that this bond can now be created in world-class conditions at Corvinus,” Csak added. Corvinus is his alma mater.
Student and Staff Accommodation
The dormitory can house up to 180 students in a mix of two- and three-bed rooms, with a shared dining space and kitchen appliances available for students. The housing capabilities of the building center around hosting both Hungarian and international students; there are also six fully furnished apartments for professors.
The campus can accommodate 680 students across almost 14,000 sqm within the building, with classrooms, countless shared spaces, an extensive library and multiple fully equipped sports centers.
Apart from providing a state-of-the-art facility for students’ education and dormitory needs, the architectural concept of the building also focuses on sustainability and environmental awareness.
Constructed and operated according to Leed “Gold” certification sustainability criteria, the building has an “AA+” energy efficiency certification thanks to the solar panels and geothermal heat pumps installed across the campus.
A biodiverse, 1.1-hectare park surrounds the campus with low irrigation requirements to save water. Less than a quarter of the park area is covered in paved surfaces.
Three-quarters of the HUF 17 billion investment was provided by European Union and Hungarian government funding, with the Maecenas Universitatis Corvini Foundation, which maintains the university, providing the remainder. Construction began in November 2020, with more than 3,000 people working on the project until its inauguration.
This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of March 8, 2024.
Conditions for New Home Renovation Grant Softened
Liz & Chain Rooftop Bar Debuts Sustainable Cocktails
SUPPORT THE BUDAPEST BUSINESS JOURNAL
Producing journalism that is worthy of the name is a costly business. For 27 years, the publishers, editors and reporters of the Budapest Business Journal have striven to bring you business news that works, information that you can trust, that is factual, accurate and presented without fear or favor.
Newspaper organizations across the globe have struggled to find a business model that allows them to continue to excel, without compromising their ability to perform. Most recently, some have experimented with the idea of involving their most important stakeholders, their readers.
We would like to offer that same opportunity to our readers. We would like to invite you to help us deliver the quality business journalism you require. Hit our Support the BBJ button and you can choose the how much and how often you send us your contributions.
