19th

In downtown Budapest, Hungary, Pyxis Nautica and Dániel Szalai have transformed four 19th-century palaces into urban-scale interventions by concealing them in golden fabric. The structures, built between 1817 and 1922, are currently undergoing conservation and restoration to be reborn as exclusive office buildings and public cultural spaces for modern-day use. By wrapping their historic facades in gold, the project not only secures these architectural treasures until their renovations begin but also turns an artistic spotlight onto them while challenging our perception of the built environment. The gilded enveloping invites passers-by to approach the installations, reflect upon them, and interact with them by exploring their materiality and symbolism.

Almásy Palace | image by Bálint Jaksa

Budapest-based architecture and design studio Pyxis Nautica's collaboration with artist Dániel Szalai arose after a commission by Hungarian boutique real estate developer Optinvest Zrt. Between 2022 and 2026, the historic structures will be repurposed to serve as offices as well as new public facilities, including cafes and cultural and event spaces. Their transformation will be carried out respecting the palaces’ heritage status, aiming to conserve and restore as much of their original glory as possible.

The project envelopes the facades of four heritage-protected palaces with golden fabric, covering a total area of 1,100 square meters (11,840 square feet). The special, water-repellent cover serves as both a construction safety net until the renovation of the dilapidated buildings starts, as well as a vibrant artistic installation element. Transforming the way observers typically respond to their built environment, the project invites passers-by to reflect upon and interact with these buildings differently, rather than considering them mere scenery passed by on their daily commute. The reflective wrapping exudes warm light while creating a foggy mirror and invites observers to get closer to the palaces and touch them, experiencing the buildings as physical objects.

gold-wrapped Wagner Palace | image by Bálint Jaksa

Dreher Palace | image by Dániel Szalai

wrought iron balcony railing of the Dreher Palace wrapped in gold | image by Dániel Szalai