Header: Norviska
Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) and Bureau Cube Partners have won the competition to transform the historic Milan Vapa Paper Mill in Belgrade, Serbia, into the Nikola Tesla Museum – a cutting-edge cultural hub dedicated to the genius of Serbian-American inventor Nikola Tesla. This ambitious project seeks to honor Tesla’s groundbreaking technological contributions while preserving a piece of Belgrade’s industrial heritage.
Bridging history and innovation
The Milan Vapa Paper Mill, built in 1924 as the region’s first modern factory, is protected for its historical significance by the Belgrade Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments. Abandoned for over a decade, the building’s renovation marks a significant milestone in adaptive reuse architecture. By blending contemporary design with the mill’s original brick and concrete elements, the project sits at the crossroads of tradition and modernity – a fitting metaphor for Tesla’s transformative innovations.
Design inspired by Tesla’s scientific work
The design draws heavily from Tesla’s research into magnetic fields and wireless energy transfer. Dynamic elliptical forms radiate from the original factory chimney, which remains a central feature of the site. A circular entrance on the western façade leads visitors into a triple-height central atrium beneath an elliptical skylight, providing a striking focal point. This architectural language reflects the fluidity of electromagnetic forces, seamlessly integrating past and present.
In keeping with Tesla’s forward-thinking ethos, the project incorporates sustainable practices, including passive design, renewable energy, and geothermal systems. These measures aim to minimize the museum’s ecological footprint while ensuring its status as a modern cultural landmark.
Enhancing visitor experience
The 13,400-square-meter museum’s ellipsoidal openings carved into the original walls create interconnected gallery spaces. The first floor will feature permanent exhibitions with historical artifacts, interactive displays, and immersive presentations. A highlight is the Tesla Electronic Transformer Gallery, housing a 12-million-volt transformer that promises an electrifying experience.
Temporary galleries will host rotating exhibitions, ensuring a fresh and engaging experience for repeat visitors. Additional amenities include a café, a multipurpose hall, and a rooftop restaurant offering panoramic views of the Sava River.
The surrounding Nikola Tesla Square will provide an inviting public space with flowing pathways, gardens, and plazas inspired by the patterns of electromagnetic fields. This area will connect the museum to the Belgrade Waterfront and the city’s transportation network, enhancing accessibility and fostering community engagement.
A new landmark for Belgrade
The Nikola Tesla Museum is poised to become a beacon of innovation, education, and cultural preservation. By merging state-of-the-art design with historical integrity, Zaha Hadid Architects and Bureau Cube Partners have created a space that celebrates Tesla’s enduring legacy and cements Belgrade’s place on the global cultural map.
Project info
Client: Belgrade Waterfront
Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA)
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.
Bureau Cube Partners (BCP)
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, 3D Point d.o.o
