zha and bcp selected for new nikola tesla museum in belgrade
Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) in collaboration with Serbian Bureau Cube Partners (BCP) will transform Belgrade’s historic Milan Vapa Paper Mill into the new Nikola Tesla Museum. Selected through an anonymous design competition, the project celebrates the visionary inventor and engineer Nikola Tesla, whose groundbreaking work laid the foundation for modern electrical engineering. The renovation preserves the paper mill’s original facades, vaulted ceilings, and masonry, maintaining its historical significance while updating it for its new use.
Drawing inspiration from Tesla’s pioneering research on magnetic fields and wireless energy transfer, the design incorporates dynamic elliptical curves radiating from the original factory chimney—the defining feature of the site. These forms symbolize the connectivity and energy that Tesla’s work epitomizes while preserving the industrial heritage of the historic structure.
image by Norviska, courtesy of Zaha Hadid Architects and Bureau Cube Partners (BCP), unless stated otherwise
honoring tesla’s legacy in a preserved industrial landmark
Built in 1924 as Serbia’s first modern factory, the Milan Vapa Paper Mill holds significant cultural value and is protected by the Belgrade Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments. Abandoned for over a decade, the building will be revitalized into a 13,400-square-meter cultural hub, funded by Belgrade Waterfront.
The museum proposal by ZHA and Belgrade-based BCP features a new circular entrance on the western facade, leading visitors into a triple-height central atrium. This space connects the narrative of the museum, culminating at the Tesla memorial at the eastern end. Inside, ellipsoidal openings carved into the original factory walls create spherical voids that extend sightlines and movement throughout the space. The first-floor galleries of the establishment will showcase Tesla’s inventions and legacy through historical artifacts, interactive displays, and immersive presentations. Temporary galleries will host a rotating program of exhibitions to ensure a fresh experience for returning visitors.
the design incorporates dynamic elliptical curves radiating from the original factory chimney
creating a new cultural and public space around the paper mill
Highlighting Tesla’s inventive spirit, the Tesla Electronic Transformer Gallery will feature a 12-million-volt transformer, offering an electrifying experience for audiences. Additional amenities include a café, a multipurpose hall, and a rooftop restaurant with panoramic views of the Sava River. A strong emphasis on sustainability defines the project. Passive design strategies, renewable energy, and geothermal systems will minimize the museum’s ecological footprint.
Extending beyond the museum walls, the project will introduce Nikola Tesla Square, a public space designed to connect the museum with the surrounding Belgrade Waterfront. Inspired by Tesla’s concepts of electromagnetic fields, the square will feature flowing pathways, plazas, and gardens, enhancing accessibility and fostering community engagement.
the renovation preserves the paper mill’s original vaulted ceilings and masonry
the Tesla Electronic Transformer Gallery will feature a 12-million-volt transformer
extending beyond the museum walls, the project will introduce Nikola Tesla Square | image by ZHA
project info:
name: Nikola Tesla Museum
architects: Zaha Hadid Architects | @zahahadidarchitects, Bureau Cube Partners (BCP) | @bureau_cube
location: Belgrade, Serbia
area: 13,400 square meters
client: Belgrade Waterfront
ZHA project director: Manuela Gatto
ZHA project team: Besan Abudayah, Thomas Bagnoli, Armando Bussey, Alicia Hidalgo, Panos Ioakim, Jung Yeon Kwak, Catherine McCann, Yevgeniya Pozigun, Houzhe Xu, Zixin Ye
ZHA smart museum design: Uli Blum, Danial Haziq
ZHA sustainability team: Bahaa Alnassrallah, Aditya Ambare, Carlos Bausa Martinez, Abhilash Menon, Disha Shetty, Jing Xu
BCP project director: Milan Rašković
BCP project team: Danijela Bakic, Milos Bojinovic, Nadica Davidovic, Ana Maria Gaspar, Milena Ivanovic, Milena Kalinic, Sasa Kostic, Sanja Kostic, Bojana Maksimovic, Zora Pajcin, Aleksanda Stevanovic, Ana Suman, Nikola Umicevic, Sara Vasic, Stefan Jovanovic
sustainability engineering: Max Fordham
structural engineering (new additions): Lanik I. S.A
structural engineering (restoration): DB Engineering d.o.o
MEP engineering: Conventus Consultants d.o.o
lighting designer: Lichtvision Design Ltd
visualisers: Xuniverse, Norviska | @norviska, 3D Point d.o.o
thomai tsimpou | designboom
jan 08, 2025
