Kelenföld Power Station is an abandoned power plant control room in Hungary. Built in the 1920s, it’s a beautiful example of Art Deco industrial architecture and features a dramatic oval-shaped room lit by a large skylight. The plant originally ran on coal but was converted to natural gas in the 1970s. Much of the original control equipment remains intact on the green metal wall panels. A concrete bunker housed an air raid shelter during World War 2, underscoring the control room’s role in a critical infrastructure at a turbulent time.

Designed by two prominent Hungarian architects, site is protected under Hungarian law and so cannot be demolished. This does mean it also can’t be restored and maintenance is difficult. It is occasionally open to tours and also film shoots, apparently.

More info & photos

  • @crittecol
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    611 months ago

    Why did we stop making stuff sick like this?

    • @[email protected]
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      411 months ago

      I’m guessing it’s expensive, like all the Gothic embellishments?? I’ve no real experience out data, though - just a hunch

      • @crittecol
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        111 months ago

        I mean you’re definitely right in that the answer in one form another is money, but lame

    • @[email protected]
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      11 months ago

      Most of the walls are the control system of the power plant. Those were much more analog. Nowadays digital SCADA systems control the plant, and you can fit the same amount of information in just few PC displays, because in PC you can just jump between screens digitally.

      That ceiling is definitely just artistic, and it does look awesome.

      • @crittecol
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        311 months ago

        So that architecture wouldn’t hold the same technical responsibility and it would take less effort to make it look nice!