The Center for the Promotion of Science in Belgrade, Serbia by PIKASCH architecture studio is an architectural proposal focused on extrapolating the design elements out of the basic compositions of life, and using sustainable technology to promote the knowledge of and use of developing science.
Read on for more images and information after the break.
The basic conceptual elements of the Center for the Promotion of Science are based on the common ground that scientists share with the world that they observe and invent: the air, the water, the earth and its terrain, rivers, fauna and people. While man-made environment is the driving elements that makes the architectural proposal possible, the architects of the CFPOS seek to connect the users back to the basic elements, through tradition that searches the roots of civilization, and nature.
The city block – the proposal in its totality – is a center where youth get familiar with environmental friendly life, college students study green life, scientists explore new energy efficient solutions and visitors learn about sustainability.
The proposal is an imitation of a natural landscape:
The towers of CFPOS are “Museum Rocks” that compete for height and solidity among the neighborhood blocks and harmonize the Arsenija Carnjevica Boulevard’s front line.
The university building is “The Hill,” a peaceful, green inner block.
“The Island is the center and meeting point complex where students, scientists and visitors can exchange ideas of sustainable life.
Groups of wind turbines and solar panels located in “The Forest” provide enough energy for yearly consumption of the block.
“The Lake “complements this ecosystem and is a reminder of the history of the area.
The city block is devoid of car traffic which allows visitors to wander through the various elements from the “museum square” to the “university square” on the “lake side path.” All visitors, whether arriving by public transportation, bike or car will approach the site in the same scenario: a short walk on the “museum path” toward “the lake” in a shallow valley where the lobby tower and conference tower are located in the museum square.
The museum part is divided according to the program on three public levels. Permanent exhibition spaces are linked directly to the lobby, temporary exposition room and some services are placed in the basement. Visitors can climb up in two rocks onto some exposition platforms and viewpoints too. On first floor there is the Science Club and the restaurant – which is served from the ground floor logistic-area. On this floor visitors have a direct access to out-door science park, which is visually integrated to the hills, but separated from public areas by landscape elements.
The structure of the individual structures adhere to the basic concepts of the proposal: according to a sustainable approach, the basic elements are local materials including, gravel, water, and cement. The interior concrete walls are unfinished, and the floors are covered by concrete based finishes such as terrazzo or smoothened cement floor. The external skin of the structures are made of GFRC, which imitate stone but is light and strong. The rest of the skin is either green roofing or glass. The height requires a special truss skeleton which supports the vertical vastness of the space to promote the atmosphere of the composition.
As source of energy we planned to use our basic elements: moving air provides electric energy – transmitted by wind turbines, while heating and cooling are covered by water and earth -transmitted by a heat-pump system, which is based winters on geothermal-energy and summers on the recuperative source of water in the lake. Electric pumps are powered by white electric energy, the rest is served by our the earth. Optimally, the architects hope that as the design progresses, the whole composition of the elements will develop into a passive energy system that incorporates numerous sustainable energy approaches.
Architects: PIKASCH architecture studio Design team: SCHRAMMEL Zoltán, PIRAYESH Arash, CASTELLVI BOSCH Joan, DOBOS Ditta, KANYÓ Mihály Location: Belgrade, Serbia Year: 2010 Status: competition Net area: 11,000 sqm