Pillar

As part of a revitalization program, four palaces in central Budapest have been renovated. During the restoration of these partially heritage-listed buildings, the primary goal was to preserve as much of the original architectural structure as possible. At the same time, increasing the usable floor area was also an essential aspect, enabling the buildings to accommodate new functions. As part of the renovation process, a contemporary artist was invited to contribute to each building, creating a site-specific, significant artwork that reflects the character of the space. The patinated copper plates were created for the former Wagner Palace, where the central elevator was also renovated as part of its transformation into an office building. The elevator shaft is clad in 78 large copper plates, each hand-patinated to a green finish. Standing 15 meters tall, the elevator features a total surface area of over 100 square meters. Although the same process was used for each plate, every finish is unique, resulting in a delicately varied, organic surface.