Földes Mária: Ornamentation - Our Budapest (Budapest, 1993)

As we walk along the east side of Szabadság tér we encounter a group of three buildings which will make us stop. Nos. 10, 11 and 12 were designed by Aladár Kármán and Gyula üllmann. The two architects were under the influence of Viennese Art Nouveau when designing the three self-contained buildings, which, however, make up one unit. The influence in question manifests itself in the energetic composition of the facade, in the well-balanced proportions, and in the somewhat tired ornamentation. It is not only the interior corridors that connect the buildings; the same motifs appear on the decoration of the facade-images of spread-out wings with a snake, lion-heads and projecting male heads are arranged in different places on the two outer and bulkier buildings.

Exciting and innovative are the details and articulation of the “(lllmann house” (the smaller one with the narrower facade squeezed in between the other two). These include the fine green, white patterned tile covering of the porch-like corridors, and, on the lower floor, the railing of the balconies, which looks like musical notes. The iron-structured pillars supporting the glass roof above the balcony on the top floor is also special. Above it extend the unconventionally shaped, arching ridge and roof-section covered with metal plates, although, unfortunately, they have been greatly altered following damage sustained in the war. The architects employed this feature elsewhere, on other jointly designed buildings. A good example is the so-called Király- bazaar in Károlyi utca.

Of the three buildings here, it is no. 10 whose entrance hall is worth peeking into. We are greeted by the sight of perfectly sound, solid, ball-flower patterned, coloured covering slabs, which are typical elements of Viennese Art Nouveau, as is the banister of the staircase, which is formed of geometrical patterns.

The restraint of the decoration as well as the relatively large mass of these three buildings provide a transition to the huge, massive, and dominating groups of buildings in Szabadság tér. The square is vast, and yet the two groups determine its appearance. They stand on opposite sides of the square, competing with each other as it were. Both were built to plans drawn up by the often mentioned, famous bank-builder Ignác Alpár, ap45