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Prototype: Hungary
Designers: Zsolt Zombori, Europa Studio Architecture and Interior Design Ltd., Budapest, Hungary
Client: MOL Hungarian Oil and Gas Company Plc., Budapest, Hungary
Photographers: Zsolt Zombori

Project Description

A service station is not exactly the first building type one thinks about in terms of ecological projects. Yet the Hungarian architect Zsolt Zombori of Europa Studio called his petrol station, which opened last year, one of the most sustainable buildings in Hungary. He designed this pilot project for the Hungarian gas and oil company MOL.

The history here goes back to 2004, when Zombori won a tender to create a 'brand design' for the company. At the time, he designed a new standard for the former gas stations, with a logo, bright colour schemes, information kiosks, etc. Six years later, the management of MOL asked him to this time think about an entirely new type of station. The company currently invests heavily in all kinds of sustainable technologies in their refineries, but this is hardly common knowledge among the general public. Hence the idea to propagate this green image via the stations. Zombori received a free hand and designed a building that, even on sunny days, produces more energy than it consumes.

The first thing one notices are the two so-called 'solar trees' with diamond-shaped glass solar cell leaves. Because these steel trees are placed on the north side of the glass canopy, there is virtually never any shade falling on the photovoltaic cells in its 200 m2 surface. The shop itself has a vegetated facade and roof, both of which are watered by collected rainwater. Its sloping glass facade is made of triple glazing. In addition, the building uses a heat pump for heating and cooling, and LED lighting is applied both inside and outside. Especially noteworthy is that this station is the first location in Hungary where electric cars can be charged. Within the shop the furniture is made of recycled cardboard. Together with the soft carpet and the natural ceiling decorations this makes for a relaxing, homely atmosphere. One would almost refuel here for fun!