Danish architect Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) wins an international design competition for the new Hungary Natural History Museum as it moves to Debrecen.

As part of Hungary’s ministry of culture’s promise to make Debrecen a key regional hub by 2030, the museum is moving from its current location in Budapest. The new 23,000m² site is in Nagyerdo, a centuries old forest in the northern part of the city.

BIG worked with other architects such as Vikár és Lukács Építés Stúdió, Museum Studio and TYPSA on the project.

Camouflaged by native plants and trees, the partially sunken building will have three overlapping ramps across the top of the building. It will be landscaped with walkways and a park feature with views over the city.

The main building will be built of mass timber, with locally sourced timber panels. There will also be geothermal loops to provide heat, and photovoltaic panels to provide electricity.

It will house permanent and temporary exhibition halls, educational and research facilities, as well as public amenities.

“The result is a man made hill in a forest clearing; an appropriate home for the wonders of the natural world,” says Bjarke Ingels, founder and creative director of BIG.