TROPIC HALA
Our project has two well-differentiated parts that may be easy translated into two clear phases of execution:
PHASE 1: a big infrastructure is created taking into account the important existing elements (tram, train, road; Sava river, Kalemegdan Fortress and its steeps hillsides).
A complex partially buried infrastructure with three floors, adapted to the height of Beton Hala, and that serves as its prolongation.
The resulting complex acts as a bridge for the trams, as a big terrace-fluvial walk and as a public place elevated over the road, which stops being a barrier between the river and the city and shortens the rise to the castle.
Together with the extensive cultural and commercial areas inside it, this complex will represent an important active node of the renovated waterfront of Belgrade.
Beton Hala Waterfront Centre will consist of a series of concrete platforms that start being completely horizontal in the parking levels and it progressively adapts to the topographic characteristics of the place and to the before-mentioned infrastructural requirements (overcoming the road, adapting to the slopes that allow the rise of the tram line,…) The lines of the different transports precisely draw all the levels of the complex.
For instance, the new and ascending tram route determines one of its limits and also allows the maintenance of its current route, although probably in disuse (this would require a more thorough study).
This operation will allow us to preserve an excellent collection of trees, therefore maintaining an interesting green mantle over the preexistent residential area and establishing a great entrance to the center. It will also prevent the interruption of this tram line during the construction work.
In the last stages of this phase 1, the platforms become more dynamic and move smoothly to get connected to the roof of Beton Hala.
The main uses of the first phase are:
A parking space for 800 cars and 15 buses, a loading-unloading and storage area, administrative offices, a multifunctional hall, a commercial area, a great elevated public terrace (prolongation of the Beton Hala roof) and the mechanized rise to the castle (phase 1-b).
Phase 1 meets all the major urban requirements of the project, as well as a significant part of the commercial and cultural program. The center could be in function even before the completion of the vaults of the roof?(phase 2), if required.
An invisible project, the natural prolongation of the Beton Hala, which is able to anticipate all future uses.
PHASE 2: the flowering of Beton Hala, the Tropic Hala
It provides more visibility to the proposal and increases the uses developed during Phase 1. A series of transparent vaulted spaces, which are closed with ETFE, suggest a zigzag ascending trip that brings us from the Sava river to the Belgrade Fortress. A big clima regulating park connects distinct atmospheres. A great vegetal transition occurs here, from native species that are perfectly adapted to this place, to a magnificent guest flora. This allows the visitors to travel through a series of exuberant tropical forests in the middle of winter, while the native species are in deep hibernation. While walking through this big transparent greenhouse, the visitor sees in every moment a fantastic view of the Sava and Danube rivers, without losing the reference of the Belgrade Fortress and the Kalemegdan Park.
The Tropic Hala includes several mechanisms that allow the control of the environmental conditions (venting, humidifying and shading systems), in order to facilitate the coexistence of the different vegetal species and the users of this wonderful park. Furthermore, the use of solar absorbing films in the enclosure of the vaults allow the Tropic Hala to reach energetic self-sufficiency.
The uses over the roof in phase 1 and under the vaults of the Tropic Hala (phase 2) are mostly cultural and commercial.
The design of the Tropic Hala includes 4 concatenated vaults, which are susceptible of representing 4 distinct sub-phases of execution, a system that may become completed as required.
We propose a big space of great flexibility that should be appropriate for the various groups involved in the evolution of the city. The uses and distributions proposed by us represent only an example of the countless possibilities of this place. This type of project needs a strong involvement of the citizenship, so that the strong program required by the city can be developed.
Phase 2a, Commercial vault
It closes the green commercial terrace and completes the commercial area. We suggest catering-related applications for this area, to make the most of the great terrace of the Beton Hala (nearly 10000 m2) and its wonderful view. This area is well-communicated through escalators with lower floors (commercial area and parking).
Phase 2b, Exposition vault
It is connected to the former vault, but when necessary both spaces can be independent. This vault is a big multipurpose space, accessible from the commercial level through a rising forest located in its central area. It is especially prepared to control the amount of sunlight in it, limiting direct sun radiation and allowing the partial darkening of the area. It will include systems to control temperature and humidity that will guarantee the integrity of the works exhibited.
Phase 2c, Cruises vault
A big non-conditioned area defines the entrance from the river and the Cruise Terminal, and serves as a green area for the transition from the inner tropical forest. It hosts the tram stop and it may also include the local plant nursery.
Phase 2d, Rampant vault
It covers the mechanized rise to the castle and allows the extension of the tropical walk until the historical gardens.
Management of the green-house/distribution of ambiances
With the exception of the central forests, where the vegetation exhibits a static character because we aim to reach a dense, varied and magnificent flora, the rest of the vegetation in the Tropic Hala roots in larger flowerpots that may be moved by mechanized elevators through the entire park, allowing the creation of different vegetal configurations. This may also serve as a system for the compartmentalization of the Tropic Hala.
