KELETI KÁROLY UTCA 29B
THE BUILDING
The building was constructed between 1910 and 1911 by two well-known architects, Komor Marcell and Jakab Dezső. It served as both their offices and private residences. Komor occupied the left side of the building, while Jakab occupied the right side, with each having separate entrances and staircases.
Both families were affluent during their time and collected artwork and small treasures. Unfortunately, in March 1944, German officers raided the Komor-Jakab house, leaving very little in both residences.
By the end of January 1945, two weeks before the end of the siege of Budapest, the Komor side was hit by a bomb. The upper part, including the apartment of the Komor estate, was completely burned down.
JAKAB DESZŐ & KOMOR MARCELL
THE ARCHITECTS
Marcell Komor (1868–1944) and Dezső Jakab (1864–1932) ran an architectural firm from 1897 to 1919.
Before this, they worked in Lechner’s office, adopting and extending his design style.
Notable works include the apartment building at 76 Csengery Street (1900) and the synagogue in Szabadka (Subotica, Serbia, 1901).
The early 1900s saw them experiment with artistic, dynamic forms, as seen in the Workers’ Cultural Centre in Kecskemét (1904).
Their most refined works, blending form, function, and concept, appeared after 1907, such as the Palace of Culture in Marosvásárhely (Târgu Mureş, Romania) built between 1911 and 1913, influenced by the Fiatalok ("Youths") group.
If you are interested in learning more about this pair of architects, you can pick up a book dedicated to their work by Várallyay Réka.
HERITAGE HOME
THE FLAT
This flat was part of Jakab Dezső's household and remained undamaged after the fire.
After WWII, under Russian occupation, the building was divided into multiple flats and given to various families.
With no living heirs, Dezső's home was split into two flats, which were later rejoined in the early 2010s according to the original floor plans.
the birth of
NÁLAM
NÁLAM was dreamed up in January 2023 by Tamás and Shalay, a couple with a shared vision.
They embarked on a journey to find the perfect place for NÁLAM to grow. In August 2023, they found the ideal spot: a unique heritage home designed by famous Hungarian architects Jakab Dezső and Komor Marcell. This historic house, once Dezső and Marcell's personal retreat and workspace in 1911, had hosted many lively gatherings, parties, and concerts.
When Tamás and Shalay discovered this charming space, they fell in love with it and promised to help restore and maintain it for everyone to enjoy.
They like to call themselves the caretakers of this space until the next generation.