From Prisoner of War to Shanghai’s Master Builder: The Life of László Hugyecz

Grand Theater in Shanghai

He ended up on the other side of the world as a prisoner of war, yet became the architect of one of Asia’s largest metropolises. The story of László Hugyecz, or L. E. Hudec as he was known in China, is one of historical constraints, personal courage, and the triumph of creative genius.

Hudec, a soldier in the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, was taken prisoner by the Russians during World War I, from where he escaped after an adventurous journey and found refuge in Shanghai, China.

László Hugyecz in 1934. Photo: Wikipedia

The city, which at first seemed only a forced stopover, eventually became his new home and the scene of his professional fulfillment. It was here that he established his own office and became one of the pioneers of modern architecture.

More than a hundred buildings are associated with his name, including the legendary Park Hotel, which for a long time proclaimed the genius of the Hungarian designer as Asia’s tallest skyscraper.

Park Hotel. Photo: Wikipedia

But his name is also linked to the Grand Theatre and the Green House, which are still defining elements of Shanghai’s cityscape today.

Grand Theater. Photo: Wikipedia

A new series breaks down his extraordinary life story episode by episode: the story of a young man torn from his homeland, yet finding a new community; the rise of an ambitious architect in a global city; the portrait of a creator who experimented with modern forms and was also a devoted family man; and the birth of iconic buildings that marked the peak of his career. Finally, the film recounts the drama of the war years, when Hugyecz served as honorary consul and was eventually forced to leave China—but his legacy, the buildings he created, were forever woven into the fabric of Shanghai.

However, this documentary is not only about the career of an exceptional Hungarian architect, but also about how a civilization can be enriched through the encounter of cultures and mutual learning.

Filmed on three continents and based on scientific research, the series reveals previously unknown historical details and sheds new light on the legacy of László Hugyecz. His works are not merely buildings, but living bridges connecting Europe and Asia.

The Life of László Hugyecz can be viewed starting with September 6, every Saturday at 5:05 p.m. on the M5 cultural channel.

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