KÓS 140

The multifaceted architectural career of Károly Kós (1883–1977) spanned much of the 20th century and several of its epoch-defining historical periods. In the early phase of his career, before the First World War, he emerged as a leading figure of the so-called “Young Ones” group, creating several masterpieces of the flourishing Hungarian architecture of the time – including the pavilions of the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden, the Roman Catholic church in Zebegény, and the Székely National Museum in Sfântu Gheorghe. He then built a home for himself and his family in Sztána, in the Kalotaszeg region of Transylvania. Known as Varjúvár, his house has since become a true site of pilgrimage.

Following his projects during the First World War – including set designs for the coronation ceremony of Charles IV and plans for the hunting lodge of Archduke Joseph – as well as a study trip to Turkey, Károly Kós was briefly active in Transylvanian politics. From 1925 onward, he dedicated himself to the reconstruction of the Hungarian minority, an aim reflected in his architectural, journalistic, heritage conservation, and teaching work. During the interwar period, one of the focal points of his activity was Sfântu Gheorghe, where he collaborated extensively with the community of the Székely National Museum, which he had designed and which was completed in 1912. It was in this city that the majority of Kós’s public buildings and urban residences were built.

In parallel with the design of his own house, the figure of the industrious farmer appears in Kós’s writings and plans, one who cultivates the landscape of Kalotaszeg in every possible sense – and, when necessary, takes up any means to protect it. Kós defined the concept of the Kalotaszeg and Transylvanian cultural landscape, dedicating his talent and knowledge to its service. He designed numerous buildings commissioned by rural and small-town communities, as well as the Reformed Church, and his work influenced the lives of several generations. Although he was absent from the mainstream architectural circles that brought fame, his body of work remains remarkably consistent and exemplary to this day.

The exhibition showcases the early masterpieces of the young architect through original plans, archival photographs, contemporary depictions, and documents. Through period publications and his own writings, the visions and achievements born in the Varjúvár in Sztána – touching on various genres and closely related to community organization – are also presented.

The works of his exceptionally rich oeuvre demonstrate that, in Károly Kós’s vision, the relationship between landscape and settlement is, in fact, a symbol of the connection between nature and humanity. His work represents one of the last artistic expressions of the early 20th-century arts and crafts movement, which still serves as a timely reminder that nature and humanity do not exist in separate realms: humanity is an integral part of the universe, and can only sustain its world through respect for nature.

The curator of the exhibition is Anthony Gall, Ybl Award-winning architect, university professor, and dean of the Faculty of Architecture at Óbuda University. Co-curator: Simon Magdolna.

The exhibition at the Székely National Museum is based on the highly successful, eponymous exhibition held in 2024 at the Műcsarnok in Budapest.

The exhibition will be open to the public from May 16 to September 1, 2025.

Films featured in the exhibition:
László Csibi, documentary filmmaker (an interview and portrait film from 2013 about the Transylvanian architect Károly Kós)
Enikő Czeglédy, the first-born grandchild of Kós, evokes the figure of her beloved grandmother in the film Namika (creator/actor: Enikő Czeglédy; director: András Péterffy)