Sports oasis in Novi Beograd – Sava complex project calls for construction of hotel, buildings, athletic fields, sports museum...

Marina Stankovic, a student of the Faculty of Architecture in Belgrade noticed that citizens living in Novi Beograd blocks lack a complex where they will be able to recreate and have good fun. Her project of the sports-recreation complex, Sava, Block 44, Belgrade is the first ranked at the hiCAD student competition 2012/2013.

The jury justified their choice with a strong impression this project left being complete, presentation of all additional documentation, detailed presentation through BIMx models, an interesting project idea and its sensible explanation.

- I got the idea to do this project first of all because of ideal natural characteristics of the location. First of all, there is the vicinity of water because it is at the Sava river coast then opining of views – as an option of interior observation of forms and content, as visibility of the overall facility from the river but also position because it is at the crossroads of directions where the topic of centrality emerges – Marina Stankovic, the author of the project says in her interview for eKapija and adds that the need of this part of the city was also one of the reasons.

The Sava complex presents a huge sports park without noise and pollution in natural surroundings at the Sava river which offers the possibility to organize sports competitions, and recreation and fun for the citizens of the local settlements.

Although the center is for all sportsmen, it is interesting that the project implies the construction of the court for less “attractive”, i.e. less modern martial arts in our parts such as karate, aikido, judo.

- Four tatami fields have been projected, one swimming pool, a rowing club (winter one) with two indoor smaller swimming pools, summer rowing club, two tennis courts, two volleyball courts and one basketball court. There is an option to design additional outdoor fields for some of the mentioned sports – our collocutor explains.

The complex does not contain only sports facilities but cultural, educational and entertainment ones as well. A marine for smaller boats has also been designed and a museum of sports with constant nautical exhibition as well as commercial facilities such as outdoor cinema, cafes and restaurants.

Hotels and residential buildings

The project implies the construction of a hotel and three residential buildings. The hotel capacity is some 230 double suites, 200 of which are standards and some thirty VIP suites at separated facility floor.

- The hotel could contain a large entrance lobby with a reception and a piano bar, a cocktail bar, a billiard club, a restaurant, Internet and conference halls - Stankovic adds.

Pedestrian bridges connect three residential buildings. Future citizens have outdoor and indoor parking and a garage in the sub terrains.

- Buildings are, first of all, for sportsmen and the area flats would range from 24 m2, 48 m2 and 72m2, i.e. – Stankovic points out.

All facilities in the Sava complex, apart from being connected by function, they are physically connected with a very long, steel construction, so-called the frame of the sports complex which connects all facilities, visually, aesthetically and constructively and functionally.

A total of some EUR 60 mil

Rough estimation of the facility of 76.664m2 would total some EUR 60 mil with an average square meter price which has been taken.

- Of course, price depends on final façade processing and interior and thus can vary 5-10%. The construction can be carried out in stages and gradually so that one part of construction could be compensated through the sales of flats – the collocutor of eKapija says.

The author of the project thinks that options for this project to be implemented are realistic.

- Belgrade really needs these kinds of facilities for the upcoming sports competitions and awareness boost when it comes to young people, sports and healthy life - Stankovic points out, adding that options for implementation depend on investment of the state and the city of Belgrade.

The Urban plan at the area of the Block 44 implies the construction of the sports-recreation center. Former idea was to build aqua park, occupying five hectares, which would have 11 swimming-pools, 21 toboggan, 6.500 square meters of water area, 8.000 cubic meters of water as well as the biggest indoor swimming pool in Europe but the project has never been implemented.

I.M.