Hi Suzan and Emelie,
So after spending 2 weeks in Budapest, what was the most inspirational, design related part of the trip? It probably wasn't anything to do with spending 7 days in 40 degree heat sleeping in a tent every night, as this only inspired me to maybe consider a shorter festival or at least buying an air bed.
I was more inspired by the buildings of the city. The centre of budapest is quite spectacular with some amazing architecture even after being under 45 years of communist control which doesn't seem to have affected the freedom of building design and may have only increased the variety of architecture that can now be seen in the city.
All of these different styles are mixed side by side, some being notable buildings marked in tourist guides and others even with amazing architecture may just be apartments or offices that are as incredible as some of the church's or as interesting as the museums.
One of the most prominent styles in Budapest is Art Noveau which many of the most famous Hungarian Architects designed in linking with traditional Hungarian designs and also quite a lot of Far East (Moroccan, Indian, Syrian) patterns and imagery. This gives a lot of the buildings a sense of wealth and opulence that you might not have expected from the city. The one pictured above is a perfect example of this and is a building that contains The Museum of Applied Arts .
All in all I think that it's an amazing city with plenty of history both highs and lows and this is reflected everywhere you look. It's a thriving cultural capital that deserves attention and is definitely worth a visit.
Josiah
