Hungarian State Opera House Renovation Wins International Award – METU Lecturer Featured in ECLECTIQ Magazine

The renovation of the Hungarian State Opera House has received a prestigious international award. One of the key contributors to the project is Dr. Eszter Révész DLA, textile artist and university docent at Budapest Metropolitan University. The behind-the-scenes story of the project is revealed in an interview published in ECLECTIQ, an architectural magazine.

The renovation was awarded the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2026, one of Europe’s most significant recognitions in the field of cultural heritage. The award acknowledges the project’s complexity, outstanding professional quality, and strong commitment to preserving cultural heritage.

In the interview titled “The Silken Voice of the Opera” by Ágnes Haitzmann, Eszter Révész discusses how she received one of the most significant commissions of her career: reimagining the textile world of the Opera House. Her work aimed to harmonize historical authenticity with contemporary expectations, with special attention to the building’s Neo-Renaissance heritage.

“This commission was an extraordinary professional opportunity for me, as I could be part of a team of outstanding designers and experts. It was fascinating to see the many aspects of such a large-scale project, and how, after extensive research and design, even the smallest details fall into place during implementation.”

The concept development took place during the COVID-19 period, supported by research, archival studies, and the exploration of Renaissance motifs. The implementation was carried out through international collaboration: Italian manufacturers, British contractors, and Hungarian professionals worked together on the creation of curtains, wall coverings, and other decorative elements.

The interview provides a personal insight into the creative process, showing how knowledge, experimentation, and professional courage take tangible form in one of Budapest’s most iconic buildings.

Further information:

European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2026 winning project:

https://www.europeanheritageawards.eu/winners/hungarian-state-opera-house/

About ECLECTIQ magazine:

https://hely.hu/hirek/megjelent-az-eclectiq-az-uj-epiteszeti-magazin/