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Radiant colors in MaxCity's new interior design in Budapest, Hungary /// © György Palkó | Hello Wood
Radiant colors in MaxCity's new interior design in Budapest, Hungary /// © György Palkó | Hello Wood

MaxCity Budapest reimagined by Karim Rashid and Hello Wood

World-renowned designer Karim Rashid was invited to completely reimagine the shopping mall’s interior spaces with Hello Wood bringing the vision to life.

Known for his signature organic forms and vibrant colors, Karim introduced a concept that pulses with energy and movement. His visionary sketches laid the foundation for Hello Wood, who brought this vision to life with meticulous detail. At the core of his design is the concept of FLOW – a seamless visual and spatial rhythm that guides visitors through the space, connecting them with every corner of the building.

Colors play a vital role in Karim Rashid’s design /// © György Palkó

The mastermind behind the design, Karim Rashid, explains his vision:

“At MaxCity, I wanted to craft a fluid, optimistic world where color and form guide people through space with ease and emotion. A mall dedicated to design must itself feel alive, contemporary, and in tune with today’s technological possibilities. By opening the ceilings, liberating the geometry, and embracing vibrant hues, we transformed the environment into a living landscape. I wanted the space to feel light, airy, and free, an environment where openness enhances comfort and clarity. Design should elevate our daily rituals, uplifting the human spirit and celebrating the beauty of our contemporary world.”

Community areas marked with the joyful colors of orange and yellow /// © György Palkó

Color played a central role in this concept:

Every space features two dominant shades, one of which is always yellow – a color symbolizing energy, joy, and optimism.

Colorful flow of marks echoes each other on the floor and the ceiling /// © György Palkó

The other tone is adapted to the function of the space: corridors glow in green and magenta, the community area in orange, and the entrance area is bathed in blue. The mirrored relationship between the ceiling and floor further enhances the sense of continuity and movement.

Functional and colorful: corridor marked by magenta and the predominant yellow /// © György Palkó

“We started the collaboration with great ambition, and from the first discussions, we got to know Karim as a lead designer who communicated in an open and thoughtful way. He was open to manufacturing and execution suggestions, which allowed for a unique collaboration to take place.”

said András Huszár, CEO of Hello Wood.

The general contractor of the project, Hello Wood /// © György Palkó

The concept also carries a social message, reflected through Karim Rashid’s iconic pictograms placed throughout the space. These symbols convey the values of community, family, love, and togetherness – values that form the core identity of both MaxCity and Hello Wood: family, love, community.

MaxCity on a sunny day /// © György Palkó

“MaxCity is a key meeting point for Hungarian design, providing a platform for local designers, showcasing international brands, offering inspiration, and actively shaping the culture of quality interior design,”

states Zsófia Kovács, Center Manager of MaxCity.

The stunning design does not end with the floors and corridors /// © György Palkó

The result is a space that is iconic, functional, and human-centered, perfectly embodying the shared values of Karim Rashid, MaxCity, and Hello Wood: courage, innovation, and a community-driven spirit.

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