Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design (MOME) is located at the foot of the Buda hills in Budapest, amongst villas and pavilions in landscaped gardens with mature trees. Over time the University has outgrown its buildings and an architectural competition was held to find a way to allow the University to continue to grow, not only in size, but in academic standing, industrial relations and as a core part of the Budapest creative community.

As a basis for the competition, FCBStudios was commissioned to generate a strategic masterplan for an enlarged and connected campus where the different faculties and departments could continue to create, teach and engage in collaborative conversation whilst still retaining the rich sense of place given by the existing historic buildings.

The masterplan aimed to create new physical and social links between the existing and proposed buildings to better facilitate interdisciplinary cross-fertilisation and expand the spaces available.

FCBStudios proposed a central ‘courtyard’ at ground and below ground levels that would connect the academic and technical departments with a new research and innovation building. Forming a new heart to the site, this central space would provide easier circulation around the site, new shared workspaces and greater opportunity for people to meet, share ideas and collaborate. These expanded spaces promote the University’s role as an incubator for research and innovation and a flagship of the creative industries in the wider region.