Spens is a well-known massive complex in Novi Sad, Serbia. It has been a popular destination for various events, sports competitions, concerts, and exhibitions ever since it was completed in 1981. The name “Spens” comes from the acronym for “Sportski i poslovni centar,” which means “Sports and Business Center”.

With an area of over 50,000 square meters, it boasts of outdoor sports fields, a swimming pool, a fitness center, a shopping mall, a parking lot, and several indoor halls. The main hall has a capacity of up to 10,000 people and is often used for concerts, festivals, and sports events, such as basketball, handball, volleyball, and boxing.

Over the years, Spens hosted many international events, including the World Handball Championship in 1986, the European Volleyball Championship in 2005, and the European Youth Olympic Festival in 2007. It was the venue for the 9th FINA World Swimming Championships held in 1991, where American swimmer Michael Phelps won his first international medal, a gold in the 200-meter butterfly. In addition to hosting sports events, Spens is also a popular venue for concerts and other cultural events — many famous musicians, including Bob Dylan, Deep Purple, and Iron Maiden, have performed there. Apart from that, Spens was used as a refugee center during the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999.

Spens is a unique and impressive architectural landmark in the city. It was designed by Serbian architects Branislav and Vladimir Djordjevic and completed in 1981. The design of Spens was influenced by the modernist architecture movement of the 20th century. The building“s unique architecture features a distinctive sloping roof and a large glass facade, which provides plenty of natural light to the interior. The building”s roof is one of its most distinctive features: it is made up of a series of triangular sections that converge at the top of the building, creating a sharp and angular silhouette. This design not only adds to the building“s visual appeal but also serves a practical purpose. The sloping roof helps to prevent the accumulation of snow and rainwater, reducing the weight on the building”s structure.

Another notable feature of Spens is its large glass facade, which provides natural light to the interior of the building. The facade is made up of large, uninterrupted panes of glass that run the length of the building’s main hall. This creates an open and airy feel to the space, while also allowing visitors to enjoy views of the surrounding city. Spens is oriented towards the north, which reduces the amount of direct sunlight entering the building. This helps to keep the interior cool and comfortable, even on hot summer days.

The interior of Spens is also impressive, with its modern design and state-of-the-art facilities. The building’s designers used a combination of concrete, glass, and steel to create a sleek and contemporary look that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Overall, the architecture of Spens is characterized by its innovative and functional design, which combines modernist aesthetics with practical considerations. The building is a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of Serbian architects and engineers. The architects who designed Spens, Branislav and Vladimir Djordjevic, were awarded the prestigious Grand Prix of the Yugoslav Academy of Sciences and Arts for their work on the building.

Spens has also been used as a canvas for street art and graffiti. The building“s concrete walls and open spaces provide a blank canvas for artists to express themselves and create colorful and engaging murals and installations. In recent years, there have been efforts to incorporate more public art into the surrounding area of Spens, as part of the city”s broader efforts to promote cultural and artistic initiatives. This includes murals and sculptures placed in public spaces around Spens.

In 2017, a major renovation of Spens was completed, which included the modernization of the interior and exterior, as well as the installation of new sports equipment. The renovation was intended to improve the quality of services and facilities offered at Spens and make it more attractive to visitors and athletes. In 2020, the city of Novi Sad announced plans to build a new sports and entertainment complex next to Spens. The complex will include a new indoor arena, a convention center, a hotel, and other facilities. The development of Spens and the new sports complex is being funded by the government, as well as private investors. The aim is to make Novi Sad a more attractive destination for sports events and conventions, which will boost the local economy, create new jobs and new opportunities for the people of Novi Sad.

Spens may not have any permanent art installations, but it is an excellent multi-purpose venue that offers a variety of facilities for sports, business, and entertainment events. Whether you are a sports enthusiast, a business professional, or a tourist, Spens is definitely worth a visit.