The Pancho Arena in the small Hungarian village of Felcsút looks as if someone had enclosed a large pitch in the middle of a medieval castle. This unusual sports facility was built in 2014 based on the plans of Hungarian organic architecture pioneer Imry Makovecz. The architecture of the stadium combines a medieval look with modern functionality. The stunning, expressive wood forms are meant to bring spectators closer to nature. Interestingly, the name “Pancho Arena” commemorates one of the most outstanding footballers in the history of Hungarian and world football – Ferenc “Pancho” Puskás.
Felcsút is a village located about 40 km west of Budapest. The village sports facility is a large and modern stadium with a capacity of up to 3,800 people. Puskás Akadémia FC, which plays in the highest Hungarian league, uses the facility’s advanced facilities. The club is very popular, but the real star of Felcsút is the stadium and its impressive architecture.
The Hungarian champion
Born in 1935, Imre Makovecz is recognised as a master of Hungarian organic architecture. He was most inspired by the architectural philosophy of Frank Lloyd Wright, who wanted to connect man and nature with his designs. Wright’s houses blended harmoniously into their surroundings with their forms and colours. Makovecz, on the other hand, added folk touches to this idea. Often pagan forms and motifs took on a new meaning in the churches and houses designed by the Hungarian architect. For this reason, Makovecz’s designs are reminiscent of medieval inns or fortifications. The stadium in Felcsút is intended to be a kind of sacred arena for sports heroes.
The master died in 2011, and his drawings of the stadium only became reality through his pupil Tamás Dobrosi. From the outside, the building is already intriguing with its monumental and mysterious shape. The dynamic shapes of the black roof rise and fall evenly, all supported by a concrete base. This colour scheme may remind some people of painted country cottages or inns with whitewashed walls and tar paper on the roofs. From beneath the large roof, copper accents and timber columns emerge to foreshadow the inner ‘forest’.
Match under the branches
Visitors to the stadium are welcomed by a high foyer with a wooden ceiling and beams. The interior is flooded with light, thanks to large windows and skylights built into the domed turrets. Note the floral inspirations in the building, such as the copper-lined turrets that resemble opening flowers. Plant motifs are also present on the railings of the mezzanine. The stadium is intended to be like a living organism, so its walls and columns are slightly curved and dynamic.
The monumental volume hides the pitch, stands and canopies reminiscent of dense tree branches. The roof is supported by bent beams set into a concrete base. The wood is harmoniously arranged in a symmetrical forest. The stands have separate sections for VIPs and journalists and the stadium meets all UEFA requirements.
Fairytale academy
There are also other training facilities within the Puskás Akademia complex. Interestingly, the sports hall nearby continues the theme of the beamed ceiling. This time the ‘branches’ have a slightly more drawn and soaring run, and the concrete bases are rounded. It is worth noting that local youngsters can train on the various facilities of the modern and beautiful complex for free. The young talent academy already has several successes to its credit, and Puskás Akadémia FC tops the table of Hungary’s top league. The Pancho Arena is an investment worthy of the name of the 1952 Olympic Games gold medallist. Ferenc “Pancho” Puskás.
Tamás Dobrosi succeeded in transforming the thought of Imry Makovecz into a fairytale stadium. The organic shapes and the architectural return to Hungary’s folk past create a unique beauty that sets Pancho Arena apart from other contemporary designs. Outside Hungary, the heritage of Makovecz’s national organic architecture remains unknown. It is therefore worth taking an interest in the architect’s other projects such as the Church of the Holy Spirit in Paks or the Hungarian pavilion at the 1992 World Exhibition.
Source: Tamás Dobrosi, Puskás Akadémia
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