Renovation of the Esztergom Coal Loading Tower and Revitalization of its Surroundings

I am a graduate of the University of Technology and Economics Budapest. In the last years of my studies I have been focusing on renovation, adaptive reuse and innovative design. I have a passion for architectural visualization and I like to use my free time for photography and playing volleyball. I am eager to see what the future holds for architecture, particularly regarding how new technologies and the growing importance of sustainability will change our way of thinking as architects.

My thesis aims to repurpose and preserve the Esztergom Coal Loading Tower. The building stands in the River Danube since 1927, on the outskirts of Esztergom, embraced by the islands of Nyáros and Prímás. Its purpose was to transfer coal from the Dorog coal mine onto barges, it closed in the mid-1960s and has since stood abandoned. The history and location of the building have provided an inspiring foundation for my thesis. I discovered it was designed by the German firm J. Pohlig, and similar coal loading facilities were found in Spain, Germany, and Chile. Today, none of these exist; only memorials and concrete foundations mark their former presence. During the design process, my goal was to preserve the original values of the building and emphasize its structural character. Its state was concerning; the wooden flooring and facade elements were heavily damaged, and there were no recent expert reports on the condition of the steel structure. Alongside the Coal Loading House, I proposed a new building, a Coal Mining Museum, designed with similar horizontal and vertical proportions and raised above the reference flood level for flood protection. The structure would be made of large steel structural elements and feature dark-colored facade and interior architectural elements. Transportation between the Loading Facility and the museum would be carried by a steel cable car system reminiscent of the old coal transport, capable of carrying up to 600 passengers per day and 2 per ride. Inside the Coal Loading Building, I plan to create space for the cable car receiving machinery and a staff warming room. I intend to install a stainless steel mesh on the facade to provide panoramic views of the Danube and the Esztergom Basilica. While maintaining the visual isolation of the Loading Building, I also ensured accessibility from both water and land. I created parking spaces from which visitors can access the museum through landscaped areas covered with crushed stone. The museum foyer will house a ticket office and a gift shop, while the exhibition will showcase the history of coal mining in Dorog and Esztergom. Ultimately, my aim is to create a site that simultaneously honors the industrial heritage of the Esztergom Coal Loading Facility, serves present-day needs, and offers a new experience for both tourists and local residents.