T2.a Architects

Unique interpretation of Slow Design by an architect and a photographer

Architect Bence Turanyi and photographer Zsolt Batar decided to unify their artistic and professional visions, and the result of their work is an extraordinary house in a forest. The idea behind the building was to create harmony among man, nature and economic aspects. The sustainable wooden house breathes together with the surrounding trees, and its life is documented by the artist who lives in it.

The birth of this exceptional building is the result of the co-operation between an architect and a photographer, which is much more than a traditional client-architect relationship. Owner of the house, reknown architectural photographer Zsolt Batar is an old friend of Bence Turanyi. The two brought ideas and ways of thinking from their own areas, and unified them in a common project. “When two different ways of thinking meet, the result is something completely new. Our conversations about art, architecture and design were brought to life in this house.” - says Bence Turanyi about the crossover experience. For Zsolt Batar, the house is not only a home, but also a source of inspiration. The series about the house has become an important milestone in his artistic career: he records the relationship of the house and the forest day by day, in every season.

Architecture is in a new and challenging situation nowadays thanks to significant changes in the economical and social environment. We still need well-structured, quality houses, but often there is a choice among sustainability, technology and price. The creators wanted a building which looks good and unique, and is of excellent quality, while it can be built during very short time and for a reasonable price. A mere week passed between sending the digital data to the manufacturer and the completion of structural assembly on site, while the House was built in two days. The structural framework of the House is made of prefabricated, cross laminated and glued timber panels (CLT).

The Photographer’s House is a unique example of slow design: you can get your hands dirty while you collect wood from the forest to heat the fireplace, it sharpens all your senses thanks to the vivid presence of the forest, and it creates an emotional bond among man and nature. The House literally breathes together with forest, while in the inside there is the constant smell of wood. And this special smell is part of the living structure of the building. In wintertime, the fireplace heats the house, while during summer nights cool breezes from the woods are let through the open windows.

Bence Turanyi founded T2.a Architects with his father, Gabor Turanyi. In their work they represent an innovative and progressive way of thinking both technically and theoretically, while they seek for the balance among architectural, technical and economical aspects. Among their works, we can find the Waterfront of Kopaszi Dam, the Simplon House, or the Sports Center Csorsz.

Zsolt Batar architectural photographer has been taking pictures about buildings around the world for 12 years. Among his clients we can find one of the leading figures of contemporary interior design, David Collins, Designboom and A10 Magazine. His works are published in the international press, they are also present in individual and group exhibitions. His last work is the photographic section of Wallpaper City Guide’s Budapest edition.