The Cigány-hegy (Gypsy-peak) is located in the still untouched part of Mecsek Hills – in the East Mecsek Nature Protection Area – not far from the village of Kisújbánya. Its height is 523 m above sea level, and offers a very good view of the surrounding mountains and hills. The original lookout tower was built in 1980, its lower part is of rubble-stone walls and a concrete flat roof, which was topped by a wooden structure. The original plans were made by Endre Buzás, a surveyor and builder, the „lover of Mecsek“ and built by the Forestry.
The wooden structures had slowly rotted on one part and damaged by vandalism on the second. It has stood dangerously without barriers for years, the original roof and the columns were to be torn down. The stone building was in age-appropriate state, it was capable of receiving a new body. Minor masonry repairs and a flat roof insulation were the only necessary works.
Our aim with the new design was durability on the one hand – therefore the wooden elements are fixed on a steel skeleton, so the building is more durable and sustainable. The design of the renovation on the other hand seeks to a humble attitude to the existing architectural values, but it does not insist on the old situation. It would like to show a contemporary image in the renewed picture... Besides, in the past 25 years the trees and bushes have grown quite high, so it was appropriate to design the wooden superstructure one story higher, in order to be able to show the views of the surrounding area. The new lookout tower would like to show a sign to a distant viewer in a modest way, rather than rising above the trees it remains in the canopy-height, but high enough to provide an enjoyable 360 degrees panoramic view. (architect's text)