A PROJECT WHERE INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE, DESIGN, ENGINEERING, AND PUBLIC SPACE COME TOGETHER
Since 1889, Michelin has been one of the most renowned global brands in the world of motoring and transportation, with a significance that extends far beyond the company’s industrial activities. The Michelin Group became a major economic player in Hungary in 1996 through the acquisition of the then-existing Taurus factory. To commemorate the 30th anniversary of this milestone in industrial history, the company sought to create a lasting tribute in the form of a special outdoor memorial – a multifaceted project that EDGE Communications was honored to execute.
Created as part of the Michelin Heritage program, this information point – which commemorates both Michelin’s involvement in and the history of the rubber industry – is a complex public installation conceived by a team of young designers. According to their intention, it serves not only as an informative landmark but also as an outdoor meeting place in one of Budapest’s recently opened leisure parks; the site is located at the former headquarters of the Taurus and later the Michelin factory, and is now part of a popular sports and event venue.
The original concept for the complex structure comprising various pieces of outdoor furniture emerged from a design competition launched by Michelin; the winning entry was submitted by Levente Sáros and Benedek Forgács, two alumni of the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design, while EDGE Communications was responsible for all activities from the preparation of the final construction documentation to the complete realization and installation of the outdoor memorial.
The construction of the structure (utilizing 60 cubic meters of concrete) was made technically unique by the shaping, formwork, and casting of its parametric curved surfaces; another particularly interesting feature is that, alongside the concrete “tires” serving as benches within the semicircular reception area, the design incorporates negative impressions of Michelin tires. The structure is complemented by steel information panels displaying the history of tire manufacturing illustrated with images and archival posters.
On behalf of our agency, the technical management of the project encompassing both engineering and construction is a testament to the work and expertise of Miklós Somogyi.
We also extend our thanks to the Gallery Out of Home team for their valuable contribution.
