Book presentation: From the Miskolc Modernism to New York. Architecture of Victor Bohm (Book)

Type of Abstract (select): Book Presentation

Abstract (max. 250 words):

Lovra Éva: A miskolci modernizmustól New Yorkig. Bőhm Viktor építészete. Észak-Keleti Átjáró Egyesület, Miskolc, 2023. 264 p.
This research, initiated in 2020, centers around the multifaceted legacy of Viktor Bőhm. The exploration spans three years, encompassing studies, research, and professional presentations, with a primary objective to not only preserve Bőhm's inaugural residential creation in Miskolc but also to unearth, showcase, and contextualize his standing architectural achievements within Hungarian modernism. The focus extends to Bőhm's pivotal role in the Hungarian and international architectural landscape, emphasizing the need for local protection of his works. Addressing the void of individual protection for Bőhm's structures in Hungary, the study elucidates the interconnectedness of his Hungarian and American phases. While the American corpus is extensive, notably from 1940 to 1980, many of Bőhm's creations face transformations or disappearance. The exception, the former Rifkin & Grannick department store in Trenton, New Jersey, not only received international acclaim during its 1940s renovation but has also endured as part of the Thomas Edison State University. The research unfolds within the framework of a Fulbright Visiting Professorship, involving a comprehensive review of the American legacy, scrutiny of Linda Bőhm's personal archive, and on-site visits to Bőhm's extant building in Trenton. This volume aims to encapsulate Viktor Bőhm's acclaimed American architectural contributions and simultaneously analyze their profound impact on Hungarian architectural theory and history. Beyond architectural analyses, the book delves into Bőhm's broader artistic spectrum, encompassing paintings, furniture, and applied arts, aiming to position his legacy within the broader narrative of Hungarian and international architectural history.


Brief Professional Bio (max. 100 words):
Éva Lovra, Ph.D. is a civil engineer and urban engineer with an M.Sc., specializing in conservation engineering, holds a Ph.D. in architectural engineering with a focus on urban morphology. She conducted her postdoctoral research at the UCL Bartlett, the University of Novi Sad, and the Slovak Academy of Sciences. She serves as a senior lecturer at the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Debrecen and is a supervisor at the Doctoral School of Earth Sciences. She is a member of the Urban Sciences Committee of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the Hungarian National Committee of ICOMOS.