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Mazen Al-Ramahi, Péter Vékony, Ferenc Bor Get Podmaniczky Award |
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The Podmaniczky Award is presented annually to those who excel in raising awareness of, popularising and conserving Hungary’s built heritage regardless of or beyond their professional duties. Awardees this year included Mazen Al-Ramahi (owner of Continental Hotel Z❖ra), architect Péter Vékony and art historian Ferenc Bor. The award went to the three in recognition of their efforts to restore the ruined street facing façade of a building that had once housed Hungária Public Baths in Dohány Street, Budapest.Renewed and supplemented with contemporary extensions, this building now houses Continental Hotel Z❖ra. The renovation included the re-fitting of all exterior decorations such as reliefs, lamps and friezes. Today, this façade of over a hundred years of age accommodates the main entrance to the four-star hotel.
A revolving door gives to the reception desk and a lobby with an amazing barrel vaulted glass ceiling, which used to be the swimming pool room of Hungária Public Baths before later being converted into a theatre hall. As in previous years, award was presented in 2010 at a solemn ceremony, by chairman of the Association of Urban and Rural Conservationists (aka Hungaria Nostra) Mihály Ráday to those found worthy by a select board of the same organisation.
18.12.2010
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