Plants and trees
The demolition of the Morocco Court residential
block had created a gap in the urban fabric. Here
again public utilities and structures beneath the
pavement made it difficult to provide enough soil
for dense planting, so the designers sought to
restore the spatial structure of this area by planting
a loose alley of maple trees along Bajcsy-Zsilinszky
Boulevard There is a 1m-high elevated plant box on
the other side of the pavement, where an alley of
Common Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) could be
planted, recalling the character of neighbouring
Andrássy Avenue. The necessary 2m depth of soil
for the trees is provided by small planting pits with-
in the special corrugated cover slab. The elevated
plant boxes are filled with leafy perennial species,
groundcovers and small shrubs (Amygdalus nana,
Cotoneaster horizontalis, Deutzia x rosea, Lonicera
nitida ‘Maigrün’, Potentilla fruticosa, Spiraea japoni-
ca, Spiraea x bumalda ‘Antony Waterer’, ‘Froebelii’,
Viburnum opulus ’Nanum’, Vinca minor). The eleva-
tion of the surface and the dense plantation
not only produces clear visual closure, but also
ensures that the traffic of Small Boulevard does
not disturb the relaxing visitors. The pedestrians
can choose whether they want to hurry along
the pavement or to walk in peace on the tranquil
promenade inside. The 4.5m-wide promenade is
paved with hard limestone. The resting terraces
are decorated with beds of perennials, including
such species as Geum coccineum, Hemerocallis
fulva, Hosta lancifolia, Hosta plantaginea, Vinca
and Waldsteinia. These terraces are entirely suit-
able for informal leisure, looking around and chat-
ting because of the loose rhythm of their built-in
benches and the dense planting.Water features
The pool built into the slab of the cultural centre
provides a beautiful spectacle. Its glass bottom is
at a depth of 40cm to increase the visual flickering
effects within the cultural centre, while the depth
of water is only 6–10cm under the boardwalk and
the promenade. The 1.6m-wide promenade which
runs alongside the pool extends above the water
as a pier. The pavement here is also made from
the same hard limestone. The promenade parallel
to József Attila Street consists of timber boarding
which apparently floats over the water, supported
by slender steel structures which are hidden.
Above the timber-boarded pier there is a place for
resting, which consists of terraces and steps made
from huge polished blocks of limestone. Plant
boxes with perennials, small geometric patterned
pools and water spouts make this place seem inti-
mate. They provide the atmosphere of a sun-ter-
race with sitting surfaces built into the pavement.
There is a impressive view of the sparkling water
surface and the spacious lawn.