History of the building

The actual building of the Geological Institute

Designed by Ödön Lechner and built by Sándor Hauszmann the building was ceremonially inaugurated on May 7 1900.
The short description of the buildings history is presented in the article below:

The history of the building

The presentation of the building is also available in book. Its short, amusing overview can be accessed by clicking on the link below:
József Hála-Gyula Maros: Art Geo Palace in Budapest
History of the Art Geo Palace of the Geological Institute of Hungary
The idea of setting up geological institutes was formulated in the atmosphere of the industrial then scientific revolution across Europe. In Hungary this opportunity had come in the social-political atmosphere of the reconciliation. In 1868 the Hungarian Royal Geological Department was established in the Ministry of Agriculture, Industry and Economic Affairs. Subsequently, following the initiative of the Minister István Gorove Emperor Francis Joseph I, King of Hungary approved the foundation of the Geological Institute on June 18 1869.
With advancing mapping activities, as well as palaentological and mineralogical research collections sprawled, whereas the shelves of the library became full with books and maps. It was five times that the Institute had been relocated, its headquarters were in the Hungarian National Museum, in a rented flat and in the premises of the Ministry. The need for effective utilisation of the research materials and the exhibition of the collections called out for new, permanent headquarters. Following the adversities of a quarter of a century the idea could came true promoted substantially by the fact that Miksa Hantken, the rather genuine scientist was replaced in the directors chair by János Böckh being rather a manager in todays sense, as well as the generous donation provided by Andor Semsey who covered almost one-fourth of the expenses by 100 000 crowns. Following long general meeting skirmishes and lobby fights the capital put the building lot at the disposal of the Institute free of charge preferring the one in Stefánia Street against the building lot of the actual Statistical Office. The contract contained, however, some clauses as well. Hence the lot could only be used for the establishment of the Geological Institute of Hungary, the Institute was obliged to exhibit its collections and to ensure visits free of charge as well to deliver rock materials for schools for educational purposes. Additionally, the treasury took charge of taxes and common charges.
In 1896 a design codename tender was announced for the construction of the building. Some fourteen competition essays were submitted evaluated by a committee set up by the Association of Hungarian Engineers and Architects. Among others Samu Pecz and Ignác Alpár were also among its members. The first prize was awarded to the essay codenamed move on and compete submitted by Ödön Lechner. The second prize was awarded to the essay of Kálmán Gerster codenamed Globus. The tenders were also sent to the future users of the building allowing leading geologists of the Geological Institute to express their opinion. Curiously, the plans of the façade distinct of the classicist style traditional then generated opposition arguing that the contemplated exterior is not consistent with the serious nature of the geological institute neither with its rather precise scientific collections. Hence they proposed the second ranked Globus essay for realisation.
Finally, architects gained the upper hand though the buildings execution plan and the competition essay differ in several points. The construction started on February 9 1898. This date should be noted since János Hauszmann gave it over in habitable state already on October 1 1899. Considering traditional building technologies and the size of the building it was an extremely short deadline.
Quite naturally the builders and the Building committee led by János Böck had to face a number of smaller and larger problems from having to master financial difficulties quite frequent then as to selecting rose species for planting in the Institutes garden. Some 147 carriages were needed for the transport of 1760 boxes of collections, 250 cupboards, laboratory equipments, as well as sizable mineral and rock specimens. The name of Andor Semsey should be remembered at this point as well. Apart from his initial donation he provided financial assistance during the construction work as well with several tens of thousand Hungarian forints. For example he had some sizable cupboards done for the museum, he bought the first telephone set, the electric clock of the Institute and he also took care of the spare stove of the caretaker.
The building is one of the most mature works of Ödön Lechner embodying simultaneously the national architectural style. The globe resting on the shoulders of ancient Hungarian figures dominating the main risalit, the roof tiles with Zsolnay glaze, the façade ornaments made also of ceramics and bearing partly folksy, partly geological motives, the arrangement of the interior spaces and the lace ornaments adorning the carvings of doors and windows have been drawing thousand of visitors and enthusiastic tourists taking pictures until today.
The building of the Geological Institute was ceremonially inaugurated on May 7 1900 by Ignác Darányi, the Minister of Agriculture. The inauguration was attended by numerous notabilities, ministers and state secretaries. The Prime Minister Kálmán Széll was also invited but he preferred to attend a banquette. Quite on the contrary, the Emperor and King Francis Joseph I honoured the Institute with his visit on May 29 1900. Naturally, on this occasion the Prime Minister was present. The Emperor was most delighted with the collection. Consequently, instead of the planned quarter of an hour he spent three-quarters of an hour (!) visiting the building and the collection. He also praised the interior of the building though secession is shouting off the exterior he stressed. Secession represented revolution in architecture then and crowned heads did not use to be enthusiastic about revolutions.
Due to the additions to the collections and increasing staff in the decades following the inauguration the enlargement of the building became indispensable. This problem had to be solved by the planners and so by Lechner as well already at the announcement of the original tender. Unfortunately, these plans were disregarded when a store was first added in 1935 and the same happened when a one-storied building was erected on its place after its demolishing. This accessory building was raised to three stories in 1988.
During World War II the building remained intact but the concrete machine-gun nest fitted on the roof still reminds of this stormy era. As a result of growing staff and related tasks following the war more place was needed. Decision was taken to abolish the museum. The collection was put in storage cupboards, the mahogany exhibition furniture was removed.
Due to the approaching centenary of the Institutes foundation the reconstruction of the Palace monument took place in the 1960s terminated in 1968 under the directorship of József Fülöp. The opportunity for the reinstatement of the blazon on the main façade emerged only after the political change. Apart from the exhibition open throughout the year a presentation of the monument building takes place in September each year in the frame of the European Cultural Heritage Days.
In 2001 the steps and the gate at the main entrance were restored and following the complete replacement of the Zsolnay roof crest units the building has almost totally regained its original exterior.

A brief overview of a book

ART GEO PALACE IN BUDAPEST

The building of the Geological Institute of Hungary is 100 years old designed by Ödön Lechner