Sava Centar: A Modern Architectural Icon Renewed
The renovation of Southern Europe’s largest congress center features custom-made Figueras seats, blending past and present.
With an area of over 100,000 square meters, the Sava Centar is one of Belgrade’s most iconic buildings in terms of modern architecture. Located on the banks of the Sava River, it opened its doors in 1977. It was designed by architect Stojan Maksimović, who was commissioned to create Belgrade’s first congress center when, in 1976, Yugoslavia was selected to host the first CSCE summit, now known as the OSCE. The building was constructed, fitted out, and inaugurated in just 12 months.
Its main recognition came shortly after, in 1978, when the Sava Centar was nominated for the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize. Its Crystal Palace was considered a masterpiece of Yugoslav architecture.
During its first 40 years of operation, the Sava Centar welcomed more than 10 million visitors, hosting 8,000 meetings and 20,000 events, including congresses, conferences, concerts, and many other activities.
After several years of decline that led to low maintenance and a reduction in activity, the Sava Centar became part of the Delta Real Estate group in 2020. The building required a complete renovation, which was carried out over three years with particular attention paid to preserving its original architectural features.
Today, the Sava Centar stands as the largest congress, cultural, and business center in Southern Europe. It retains its original concept of a multipurpose space, composed of several differentiated functional units, while incorporating significant improvements in energy efficiency and green areas.
Figueras had the privilege of equipping two of its most prominent halls: the Main Congress Hall and the Plava Dvorana.
A seat reinterpreted for the Plava Dvorana
Plava Dvorana is a 900 m² space equipped with over 4,000 seats. Talas, the star seat of this hall, was specially designed for this project. Delta Real Estate’s designers and architects requested that the aesthetic heritage of the space be preserved. After several discussions and proposals with Figueras, the result is a seat inspired by the original model, adapted to today’s needs, while retaining the iconic blue color and glossy finish, evoking the waters of the Sava River and the city lights reflected upon them.
Talas combines clean lines, highly precise curves, and vintage-inspired finishes with the comfort, quality, and durability required by contemporary spaces. Its ergonomic design offers excellent adaptability to the body’s anatomy, ensuring superior comfort during long sessions. In addition, Talas guarantees outstanding strength and performance over time, thanks to Figueras’ patented Integral Form manufacturing system.
This seat is ideal for theaters, auditoriums, and venues aiming to leave a lasting impression, seamlessly connecting past and present through every detail.
Additionally, 280 of the seats installed in Plava Dvorana are removable, providing great flexibility in configuring the space for events of various scales.
Versatile seating for the convertible hall
The other major hall within the center, the Main Congress Hall, has a capacity of up to 1,200 people and preserves a valuable historical heritage. Its interior maintains the spirit of the original construction, especially thanks to the tapestries that cover the walls, adding character and warmth to the space.
This is a multipurpose hall that can be divided into three independent spaces depending on the needs of each event, making it an ideal choice for congresses, conferences, and large-scale gatherings.
For this space, Figueras selected the Tulipa chair, a model that combines comfort, functionality, and design. It is specifically conceived for auditoriums, corporate rooms, and congress centers. As with most Figueras products, ergonomics have been carefully studied to guarantee comfort even during long working sessions or performances.
This chair features a gravity-assisted folding system, minimizing the space occupied when not in use. In addition, a foldable writing tablet has been integrated, enhancing its versatility and making it a perfect solution for training or educational events.
Through our participation in the renovation of the Sava Centar, Figueras Seating once again demonstrates its ability to design and manufacture tailor-made solutions. The creation of the Talas seat, developed specifically for this project, reflects our commitment to innovation, comfort, and adaptation to the needs of each unique space.
