Nissen Richards Studio was part of the team placed third in an international design competition to create a new Nikola Tesla Museum in Belgrade, celebrating the life and work of Serbia’s most famous scientist, engineer and innovator. The competition saw a total of 46 entries, with Nissen Richards Studio collaborating with lead architects Howells on the submission.

“The design is extremely valuable because of its complexity, attention to detail and ability to merge historical significance with a modern approach to exhibition design” the judges commented on the exhibition design elements.

Celebrating the extraordinary life and work of Serbia’s most famous scientist, engineer and innovator, the design submission sought to transform a derelict 100-year-old paper mill into an atmospheric visitor attraction, located within the emerging neighbourhood of Belgrade Waterfront.

Nikola Tesla’s discoveries into the potential of electricity and radio signals led him to be regarded by some as a magician or even an alien being. This sense of theatre was incorporated into the team’s design through atmospheric exhibitions of light and energy; from the new arrival square connecting the metro station, to the entrance portal with a ‘magnetic’ ground surface, and the immersive series of gallery spaces.

The museum accommodates a range of educational exhibitions and artefacts within spaces that flow around the central atrium – marked by its distinctive chimney, which serves as a wayfinding marker to the surrounding city. Sensitive architectural interventions to the façade and skyline reflect the internal programme, using dark metallic finishes that recall Tesla’s creations and juxtapose with the elegant white factory building.

Nissen Richards Studio was responsible for the arrangement of the visitor journey route within nine zones of the first floor gallery space, culminating in a Tesla ‘coil’ installation embodying the inventor’s particular genius.

The judges’ citation further commented on the overall submission that “The author managed to create a dynamic and exciting visitor experience, that is not only educational, but also emotionally powerful….Through a carefully devised distribution of space, each element has its own role in telling Tesla’s story, giving it a unique value compared to other competitors….This design is also characterized by an exceptional landscaping proposal, with clearly defined elements, such as paving symbolizing the magnetic field and circular lighting placed above the square, which creates a unique ambience.’