Marking the “continuance of Belgrade’s signature ‘Modernist’ movement”, which produced a number of iconic buildings throughout the mid-twentieth century, the Serbian capital is proud to unveil Zaha Hadid Architect’s (ZHA) contemporary masterplan for Beko. This all-inclusive, mixed use project embeds itself within the undulating topography of the abandoned Beko textile factory in a style that directly reflects Zaha’s distinct style of Parametricism.
Focused on urban regeneration, the project will join forces with Sou Fujimoto’s proposed ‘Cloud’ on the adjoining Sava waterfront to revitalize Belgrade’s cultural axis.
Learn more after the break.
ZHA’s Beko Masterplan aims to transform the currently inaccessible factory site into Belgrade’s next cultural hub. With the entire ground floor dedicated to civic space, the 94,000 square meter complex will feature residential, retail and commercial areas, along with a large scale convention center, five-star boutique hotel and an abundance of public destinations. Public, private, indoor and outdoor spaces are fused together by “flow lines”, as each space is meant to seamlessly connect to one another.
The historic site, which was purchased at a public auction by the Greek company Lamda Development in 2007 for EUR 55.8 million, features striking views towards the confluence of Belgrade’s two rivers and the subtle monumentality of the Kalemegdan Castle. It is located only 500 meters away from the city center and on top of a cultural axis that connects some of Belgrade’s most important destinations.
Construction is expected to begin soon and the total investment is projected to exceed EUR 200 million.
Zaha Hadid: “We are delighted to be working on the design for BEKO. The project focuses on urban regeneration of an important site at the intersection of key cultural artifacts. The masterplan follows the region’s strong modernist traditions and has applied new concepts and methods that examine and organize the programs of the site; defining a composition of buildings with the elegance of coherence that addresses the complexity of 21st century living patterns. The design for BEKO is embedded within the surrounding landscape of Belgrade’s cultural axis and incorporates essential public spaces. It is absolutely critical to invest in these public spaces that engage with the city. They are a vital component of a rich urban life and cityscape, uniting the city and tying the urban fabric together.”
Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects
Location: Belgrade, Serbia
Client: Lamda Development
Area: 94,000 sqm
Cost: EUR 200 million +
Design: Zaha Hadid with Patrik Schumacher
Project Director: Christos Passas
Project Associate: Bozana Komljenovic
Project Architect: Reza Esmaeeli
Design Team Coordination: Zetta Kotsioni, Carine Posner
BIM Coordination: Rory MacTague, Adam Atraktzi
Design Team: Veronika Ilinskaya, Alexandra Fisher, Raul Forsoni, Jose Luis De Melo Cadilhe, Tomasz Starczewski, Hendrik Rupp, Andri Shalou, , Carlos Luna, Chrysi Fradellou, Elina Chatzichronoglou, Barbara Bochnak, Thomas Frings
Local Architect: ZAPP Doo
SEMP and Facade Consultant: Arup
Vertical Transport: Arup
Hotel Consultant: E.P.R. Architects
Sustainability and Energy: Arup
Code Compliance: EN Plus
Cost Consultant: Davis Langdon
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- Existing Site, Courtesy of Belgrade Design Week
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- Existing Site, Courtesy of Belgrade Design Week
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- Existing Site, Courtesy of Belgrade Design Week
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- Existing Site, Courtesy of Belgrade Design Week
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- Existing Site, Courtesy of Belgrade Design Week
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- Existing Site, Courtesy of Belgrade Design Week
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You need to redesign all rest of the city to fit.
Ahh, I get it. You’re being sarcastic. ;)
are you out of ur mind??? have you ever been to belgrade?
regenerate?
jeeze Max, that’s what I was going to say.
wish they would set up some of these cameras at ground level!
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fortunately this disaster will not happen in Budapest.
I wonder when will this architecture disappear?
please dont let her in Eastern Europe.
Dear Zaha Hadid. Could you just, please, design something that engineer could be able to BUILT.
This messianic invocation to how malleable, parametricism exegesis, merely cover all possible architectural intent, transforming the design into a recurring discursive game, unnecessary, predictable and lacking a proposal flatly habitable.
Very poorly written article, without getting into context and background of project.
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PLEASE. ZAHA. STOP
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Serbia is NOT in EU…
Amazing, the fort and that masterpiece go together like no structure before………………………………………….
I am getting the zaha-hadid-design-fatigue already.
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“The design for BEKO … incorporates essential public spaces. It is absolutely critical to invest in these public spaces that engage with the city.”
How can five star boutiques count as public spaces?
Belgrade doesn’t have money. Belgrade has enormous infrastructural problems. Belgrade is as big as Vienna but it’s public transport consists of a few old trams and buses. Belgrade has one of the most beautiful Museums of Modern art but nobody has the money to refurbish it and open it again. There is no architecture in this world to revive old glory.
Than you for writing that, I agree with you on this one. But, what can we do? It is all soon going to be sold to the higher power. The money will go first to a certain politician, and after another few years, it will all be gone. Later generations will look back on this time and just be dissapointed. Serbia couldn’t hold it self in its hands. There are no hands. It’s a black hole underneath.
Okay I get it. Zaha knows to use liquify tool. But Zaha, this is not the right place to use it. :-|
She has started to copy herself.
Did you know that there are laws against piracy?
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jaha’s building is eco-hideous. it does not allow any kind of refurbishment or renovation.
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zaha ur truly the great architect…i like ur organic fluid designs….
As a student of architecture, and a citizen of Belgrade, I have strong opinions about this absurdism and complete idiocy. And I’m not talking just about the project itself. Belgrade doesn’t need a new shopping mall, a new hotel, a new artificial, worthless, peace of modern architecture. It is shameful, the decision, the gouvernment and the authorities have made, to let such a gigantic, overpriced, project take place. It can be said that this, along with other irresponsible, reckless actions, are deteriorating the city, and the country, which is not a new thing by the way. It is all connected, and it is sad. Nobody so stand up against this is just terrible. I cannot even continue typing.