When we think of contemporary architecture, one name stands out, both among experts and laymen, as its synonim and symbol – Zaha Hadid. She was one of those women who left an indelible mark on the international architectural scene, and the legacy of her creations and understanding of space will become part of the Belgrade’s landscape, embodied in the new Nikola Tesla Museum.
Architecture that pushes boundaries
Zaha Hadid passed away in 2016, leaving behind some of the most interesting and recognizable works of contemporary architecture, such as MAXXI Museum in Rome, the Guangzhou Opera, the Heydar Aliyev Centre in Baku, the London Aquatic Centre, Galaxy SOHO in Beijing, the Napoli Afragola railway station, the Vitra fire station in Germany, the Riverside museum in Glasgow and many other buildings that blend seamlessly into their surroundings while standing out with their unique aesthetics and beauty.
The works of Zaha Hadid exude uniqueness, rounded forms that bring a new understanding of the relationship to space, they are soft, fluid and show that nothing is impossible. Many of them seem to be stopped in motion, prooving that concrete, steel, brick, marble and other building materials can be soft, warm and gentle.
Hadid was the first woman to receive the prestigious Pritzker Prize in 2004. She was also the winner of the Stirling Prize, the most important award in the field of architecture in the United Kingdom, and in 2013 she was on the Forbes list of the most powerful women in the world.
A perfect blend of art, science and technology
Zaha Hadid’s legacy continues to be nurtured and implemented by her studio Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA). Together with the Serbian architectural studio Bureau Cube Partners, it won the international competition for the conceptual design of the new Nikola Tesla Museum in Belgrade. Inspired by Tesla’s researches on magnetic fields and wireless energy transmission, the architectural form of the museum resembles electromagnetic waves. This approach is not a mere aesthetic game, but a direct reference to the work of our genius, interpreted through modern architectural language. Elliptical lines in continious movement define the visual dynamics of the building, creating a fluid form, in accordance with the contemporary and innovative ideas that Zaha Hadid had and nurtured.
„Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) has been considered one of the most innovative architectural offices in the world for almost 50 years. Just like the visionary inventor and engineer Nikola Tesla, who shaped the contemporary world with his revolutionary contributions to electrical engineering and technology, Hadid, through inexhaustible optimism and passion for technological progress, created a new architectural language of the 21st century“, say her successors in ZHA studio and add:
„Continuing Zaha Hadid’s insatiable curiosity and inventiveness, ZHA develpos radical new technologies to respond to today’s challenges through architecture. Buildings that inspire the imagination around the world become more playful, structurally efficient, technologically advanced and environmentally conscious with each new project. By combining pioneering design solutions with sustainable materials and construction practices, ZHA responds to the needs of a new generation.“
The new museum space, located in the former Milan Vapa Paper Mill, will cover more than 13,400 sqm. The building from 1924 will be transformed into a contemporary museum complex, where it will be possible to exhibit entire Tesla’s legacy. It will contain permanent and temporary exhibitions, interactive installations, a multi-purpose hall, as well as a restaurant on the roof with a panoramic view. The surrounding of the museum will be shaped in harmony with the museum and wider surrounding, with paths, green areas and infrastructure that will connect this part of the city with the rest of the capital.
„At a time when reducing emissions seems like an insurmountable challenge, the renovation and reuse of existing buildings offers enormous creative opportunities. The New Nikola Tesla Museum is created by reconstructing an old paper mill in Belgrade, turning it into a cultural destination that celebrates Tesla’s legacy, while preserving the city’s architectural treasures. Our design draws inspiration from Tesla’s research into magnetic fields and wireless energy transmission, incorporating dynamic elliptical forms that spread out from the chimneys of the old factory, while a spectacular 12-million volts transformer in Tesla’s Electric Transformers Gallery will symbolise his innovative spirit and constant search for discoveries“, conclude the co-authors of this project, ZHA architects.
Living in the heart of a progressive city
In the immediate vicinity of this architectural pearl, you will also find BW Neon, a building that will fit completely into the space and whose residents will enjoy the view of the Nikola Tesla Museum, the new symbol of Belgrade. BW Neon is designed to fully accompany the urban transformation of that part of the city and provide its residents with the unique sense of comfort living in the centre of cultural and technological innovation. The pedestrian street that it forms together with the twin building leads to the museum square and offers numerous cafes, restaurants and shops.
Just a few minutes’ walk from the Sava Promenada, near the Linear Park and the pedestrian bridge over the Sava River, the future green market, Galerija and the footbridge to Senjak, BW Neon will also be located near Lozionica, the future centre of the city’s cultural and artistic life and a symbol of originality and innovation.
This synergy of science, art and contemporary urban life depicts the direction in which Belgrade is going today – a city that not only preserves its heritage, but also creates a future in which knowledge, technology, culture and quality of life are at the forefront. The view from BW Neon, is, quite simply, a view into the future – a bright, promising and progressive one.