The architectural practice of Ödön Lechner and Gyula Pártos

Art Nouveau on Paper

Lechner Ödön (1845–1911) and Pártos Gyula (1845–1916) forged a friendship and professional relationship while studying at the Bauakademie in Berlin. After returning home, they set up a joint architectural practice around 1870, and their partnership, with some short breaks, continued until 1896. Their early work (e.g. Primayer house, Sas utca 9, 1871–1872; block of flats in Kecskemét, Veres Pálné utca 9, 1871–1874) bears the marks of the Hellenistic neo-Renaissance style of their teacher in Berlin, Karl Bötticher. Lechner went to live in France between 1875 and 1878, during which the joint practice was suspended, but it restarted in 1879, producing designs that used Lechner’s experiences of French Renaissance architecture and of the creative synthesis of various styles. Nearly thirty buildings and half as many plans bear the partners’ signatures, including the Museum of Applied Arts (1893–1896) and the St Ladislas Parish Church (1891–1897). After they went their own ways, Gyula Pártos designed mainly in the historicist style, while Lechner continued to develop a Hungarian national design idiom.

by Zsófia Hutvágner

Architectural photograph - main facade of the Museum of Applied Arts
Architectural photograph - Museum of Applied Arts seen from Üllői street
Architectural photograph - original roof structure, Museum of Applied Arts
Architectural photograph - constructing the Üllői street wing of the Museum of Applied Arts
Architectural photograph - constructing the Kinizsi street wing of the Museum of Applied Arts
Architectural photograph - Museum of Applied Arts lobby on the opening day
Architectural photograph - Museum of Applied Arts
Design - ground plan of the first floor, Museum of Applied Arts
Design - drawing of the skylight dome of the vestibul, Üllői street wing, Museum of Applied Arts
Design - ground plan of the basement of the open entrance hall, the vestibul and the exhibition hall, Museum of Applied Arts
Design - ground plan of the ground floor of the open entrance hall, the vestibul and main stairs, Museum of Applied Arts
Design - ground plan of the roof of the Hőgyes (Rákos) street wing and the left side of the Üllői street wing, Museum of Applied Arts
Design - ground plan of the attic, Museum and School of Applied Arts
Design - 1st floor plan of the Museum and School of Applied Arts
Design - roof plan of the Hőgyes (Rákos) street wing and the left wing of the Museum of Applied Arts on Üllői street
Design - Museum of Applied Arts-detailed drawing of the columns of the first floor ceremonial hall
Design - roof plan of the Hőgyes (Rákos) street wing and the left wing of the Museum of Applied Arts on Üllői street
Interior photograph - exhibition hall, Museum of Applied Arts