Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA), in collaboration with Bureau Cube Partners of Serbia, has been selected as the winner of the anonymous design competition for the new Nikola Tesla Museum in Belgrade.
Nikola Tesla, a visionary inventor and engineer, revolutionized the modern world with his groundbreaking contributions to electrical engineering and technology. His innovations include the development of alternating current electricity, the Tesla coil, and early advancements in wireless communication.
The new Nikola Tesla Museum will renovate the historic Milan Vapa Paper Mill, a protected cultural monument, into a cultural destination celebrating Tesla’s legacy while preserving the city’s architectural heritage.
The museum’s design draws inspiration from Tesla’s research into magnetic fields and wireless energy transfer. Dynamic elliptical curves radiating from the old factory chimney dominate the site, while a new circular opening in the western faรงade will serve as the public entrance.
Key features of the museum include:
– 13,400 square metres of exhibition space
– Triple-height central atrium anchored by the historic chimney
– Ellipsoidal sectional openings creating three-dimensional spherical voids
– Historical artifacts, interactive displays, and immersive presentations
– Tesla Electronic Transformer Gallery featuring a 12-million-volt transformer
– Cafรฉ, multipurpose hall, and rooftop restaurant with panoramic views of the Sava River
Nikola Tesla Square, a new public space outside the building, will feature flowing pathways, gardens, and plazas inspired by Tesla’s concepts of electromagnetic fields.
The museum’s design prioritizes sustainability, minimizing ecological impact through passive design, renewable energy, and geothermal energy.
Image Courtesy: parametric-architecture.com
