Nikola Tesla Museum in Belgrade,
design: Zaha Hadid Architects
Architectural studio Zaha Hadid Architects, in cooperation with Serbian Bureau Cube Partners, has won first place in the competition to design the Nikola Tesla Museum in Belgrade. The new Nikola Tesla Museum will be built in the restored historic Milan Vapa paper mill in Belgrade, whose spaces will be adapted to commemorate the Serbian-American engineer's achievements.
Nikola Tesla Museum in Belgrade - visualization of a bird's-eye view of the building's massing
visualization: Norviska © Zaha Hadid Architects
the inventor who changed the face of the
of the modern world
Nikola Tesla, an inventor and engineer from Croatia, played a key role in the development of the modern world through his breakthroughs in electrical engineering and technology. His best-known achievement was the development of alternating current, but his achievements also include the invention of the Tesla coil, early innovations in wireless communications, and concepts that formed the basis for the development of radio and radar technology. Tesla's work, which took place from the 1880s to the early 20th century, continues to influence modern innovations in the fields of energy, communications and technology.
Nikola Tesla's new museum
in a historic paper mill
The paper mill, built by industrialist Milan Vapa and opened in 1924, was the country's first modern factory. After its industrial operation ended, the building served as a warehouse for a transportation company, but has stood empty for nearly a decade. The building has been protected by the Belgrade Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments, and its renovation to turn the building into a museum is being funded by the Belgrade Waterfront Project.
Nikola Tesla Museum in Belgrade - entrance to the building
visualization: Norviska © Zaha Hadid Architects
Inspired by Tesla's legacy:
The dynamic form of the museum
The museum's design is inspired by Nikola Tesla's research on magnetic fields and wireless energy transmission technology. In reference to the idea of magnetic forces and interconnections, the architectural concept will be based on elliptical curves that will radiate out from the historic factory chimney, which serves as the central element of the entire establishment. A circular entrance in the factory's western elevation, planned as a key landmark, will lead visitors to the central courtyard. Its centerpiece will be the historic chimney, which will serve as the symbolic heart of the 13,400-square-meter museum.
Increasing the museum's spaciousness
To improve the functionality and flow of space in the building, which serves as a museum, ellipsoidal openings have been planned in the walls dividing the interior of the former factory. These cutouts will create recesses with a spherical shape that will optically lengthen the space visible from the western entrance, through the atrium, to the Tesla monument located at the eastern end of the museum.
diverse exhibitions
and interactive experiences in the museum's galleries
The galleries on the second floor of the museum will provide a space where interactive installations and immersive presentations will be combined with historical objects. Temporary galleries will host exhibitions and events that will provide visitors with a diverse and changing experience on each subsequent visit.
Nikola Tesla Museum in Belgrade - visualization of the indoor gallery
Visualization: Norviska © Zaha Hadid Architects
Tesla gallery with transformers
and panoramic view
Dedicated to transformers, the Tesla Gallery will feature a 12-million-volt transformer, offering visitors a unique experience that will highlight Tesla's innovative contribution to technology. The facility will also feature a variety of visitor amenities, including a café, a spacious multipurpose room and a rooftop restaurant with panoramic views of the Sava River.
plaza in front of the museum
A Nikola Tesla plaza is planned in front of the building, with a design inspired by the engineer's concepts on electromagnetic fields. The winding paths and gardens within this urban design are intended to improve the accessibility of the space, as well as provide a seamless connection to the Belgrade Waterfront district and the city's transportation network.
Nikola Tesla Museum in Belgrade - visualization of Tesla's transformer gallery
Visualization: Xuniverse © Zaha Hadid Architects
sustainable renovation
The project aims to minimize environmental impact through passive design solutions and the use of renewable energy sources, including geothermal energy. The renovation of the paper mill involves preserving the historic facades, vaulted ceilings and traditional masonry, while adapting the building to new functions that will make it one of the city's key cultural landmarks.
Elaborated: Anastazja Dżupina
Illustrations provided courtesy of Zaha Hadid Architects.