The Beton Hala Waterfront Center is conceived as a large urban gesture rather than a singular
building; it is envisioned as a continuation- extension of the existing networks of the city, an
interstitial public space, where culture, commerce and history are brought together. As it has
been very acurately set forth by the competition brief its prominent location and simultaneously
its vicinity to two of the most iconic landmarks of Belgrade, the Beton Hala Building and
the Belgrade Fortress, pose the diffi culty of a design that introduces a new distinctive architectural
identity while at the same time being carefully integrated in its urban surroundings. In our
attempt to emphasize the urban dimension of the project the new Center is bold in its scale
of intervention; on the other hand, to address the problem of integration to the existing fabric
and to avoid interfering with the iconic historical skyline of the area, the decision was made
to retain a low height and an overall homogenous expression. The design attempts simultaneously
a twofold appearance; a ‘disappearance’ into the natural landscape, a continuation of the
Kalamegdan park, when seen from above and a stimulating new architectural proposition when
viewed from the river and from inside.
The new Waterfront Center is founded on and generated through the existing traces of the
area; the footprint and the curvature of the Beton Hala building and the train tunnel, the tram
line, which is kept in its former route but elevated to avoid interference with the traffi c, and
the current paths from the Kalamegdan Hill which, joined with the interior circulation of the
building, generate the new pedestrian network of the site. In addition and in parallel to the
new pedestrian routes, bike trails are designed and connected to the existing bike network of
the city. The traffi c is preserved to its current arrangement with minor interventions to facilitate
the entrance and exit to the underground parking area. The elevation of the tram and the
pedestrian- bike routes from the street level is one of the key components of our solution and
achieves the smooth, uninterrupted connection between the city and the new Center.
The building is assembled as two discrete functional entities, the commercial and the exhibition
areas, connected however through a network of interior corridors, large open spaces and patios.
The plan itself is organized in a fl uid and open-ended way, such that it allows fl exibility in its
arrangement and potential use. The interior is conceived as a ‘programmatic landscape’ rather
than a sum of discrete and over-specifi ed functional units. The different parts are then unifi ed
into a whole through the introduction of a fl at roof which matches the roof of the Beton Hala
Building; while the latter is turned into a waterfront promenade, a balcony for the city, the former
becomes a large green space, a park joined with the network of green spaces of the city.
Both the surface of the park and the surface of the Beton Hala roof have been in purpose left
with minor design interventions; in the same manner with the interior organization an openendness
in the function of these spaces is desirable. Connections from the level of the new
Waterfront Center to the level of the Beton Hala are achieved through three vertical cores inserted
along the length of the Beton Hala building. In conclusion, the parking is arranged in two
levels underground, while a mezzanine serves for purposes of storage and technical support.
The construction of the building is a combination of concrete slabs and metal pillars, while in
specifi c areas the construction is conceived as a concrete structural frame to set the plan free
of the need for vertical support. In terms of materials, glass is used extensively for the purpose
of interior walls, concrete fl oors are suggested for the interior of the Center, while wooden
deck is proposed for the coverage of the Beton Hala roof. The roof of the new Center is covered
by endemic tree species planted at strategical positions. As part of the sustainable strategy
a water management system is incorporated in the roof and building structure.
building; it is envisioned as a continuation- extension of the existing networks of the city, an
interstitial public space, where culture, commerce and history are brought together. As it has
been very acurately set forth by the competition brief its prominent location and simultaneously
its vicinity to two of the most iconic landmarks of Belgrade, the Beton Hala Building and
the Belgrade Fortress, pose the diffi culty of a design that introduces a new distinctive architectural
identity while at the same time being carefully integrated in its urban surroundings. In our
attempt to emphasize the urban dimension of the project the new Center is bold in its scale
of intervention; on the other hand, to address the problem of integration to the existing fabric
and to avoid interfering with the iconic historical skyline of the area, the decision was made
to retain a low height and an overall homogenous expression. The design attempts simultaneously
a twofold appearance; a ‘disappearance’ into the natural landscape, a continuation of the
Kalamegdan park, when seen from above and a stimulating new architectural proposition when
viewed from the river and from inside.
The new Waterfront Center is founded on and generated through the existing traces of the
area; the footprint and the curvature of the Beton Hala building and the train tunnel, the tram
line, which is kept in its former route but elevated to avoid interference with the traffi c, and
the current paths from the Kalamegdan Hill which, joined with the interior circulation of the
building, generate the new pedestrian network of the site. In addition and in parallel to the
new pedestrian routes, bike trails are designed and connected to the existing bike network of
the city. The traffi c is preserved to its current arrangement with minor interventions to facilitate
the entrance and exit to the underground parking area. The elevation of the tram and the
pedestrian- bike routes from the street level is one of the key components of our solution and
achieves the smooth, uninterrupted connection between the city and the new Center.
The building is assembled as two discrete functional entities, the commercial and the exhibition
areas, connected however through a network of interior corridors, large open spaces and patios.
The plan itself is organized in a fl uid and open-ended way, such that it allows fl exibility in its
arrangement and potential use. The interior is conceived as a ‘programmatic landscape’ rather
than a sum of discrete and over-specifi ed functional units. The different parts are then unifi ed
into a whole through the introduction of a fl at roof which matches the roof of the Beton Hala
Building; while the latter is turned into a waterfront promenade, a balcony for the city, the former
becomes a large green space, a park joined with the network of green spaces of the city.
Both the surface of the park and the surface of the Beton Hala roof have been in purpose left
with minor design interventions; in the same manner with the interior organization an openendness
in the function of these spaces is desirable. Connections from the level of the new
Waterfront Center to the level of the Beton Hala are achieved through three vertical cores inserted
along the length of the Beton Hala building. In conclusion, the parking is arranged in two
levels underground, while a mezzanine serves for purposes of storage and technical support.
The construction of the building is a combination of concrete slabs and metal pillars, while in
specifi c areas the construction is conceived as a concrete structural frame to set the plan free
of the need for vertical support. In terms of materials, glass is used extensively for the purpose
of interior walls, concrete fl oors are suggested for the interior of the Center, while wooden
deck is proposed for the coverage of the Beton Hala roof. The roof of the new Center is covered
by endemic tree species planted at strategical positions. As part of the sustainable strategy
a water management system is incorporated in the roof and building structure.
