LoopHALA is a multi-scalar frame as well as a camoflaged icon.

First, as a frame, LoopHALA acts as an active linkage between the Sava River Waterfront Center, the Belgrade Fortress and the Kalemegdan Park and establishes new relationships between these territories. Rather than merely connecting these two territories with multiple pedestrian bridges, the project propsoes a large landform which introduces a new datum line and a continuous ground onto which the building itself is registered. The form of the building is a carefully calibrated contour that achieves certain internal organizational attributes and frames the adjacent context from within by providing particular territorial views to the surrounding landscape, the river and the prominent artifacts. By increasing its surface area as well as creating a sectional loop between various levels, the zigzag loop form of the building performs as a circulatory and programmatic device in the building interior (exhibition areas, conference hall, commercial areas) and generates various outdoor areas (enclosed and open public space) all of which form various interactions with the city at large. The loop creates a small and big courtyard as well as a big urban plaza for larger gatherings and creates both direct and ascending connections between the Fortress and the Park.

Second, LoopHALA is an invisible icon. That is, rather than asserting its presence by mere sublime visibility, it acts as a transparent object whose presence is camouflaged in teh territory yet rendered visible via a set of compound (spatial and performative) interactions it enables. You can be on, under or in the LoopHALA. Each time another alternative world will be constructed around you and each time you will understand the city differently. Multiplication of these effects will create multiple publics for the city.

NOTES:
1) This project was conceived and completed with Mete Sonmez and Neyran Turan of NeMe studio, and Jesse Yang, student at RICE University.
2) This project was a competition finalist.

Form Diagrams Exterior View Program Diagram Circulation Diagram Loop Diagram
Site Plan Plan 01 Plan 02 Plan 03 Exterior View Interior View Interior View