Zaha Hadid architects has won the competition for the new port house- headquarters of the Antwerp port authority (APA), Antwerp, Belgium. Located on the boundary between the city of Antwerp and its harbor, the new headquarters will solve the pressing shortage of workspace in the present port house on the Entrepot Quay. Some 500 people will be able to move into the new building when it is completed in 2013. The estimated construction cost is 31.5 million euros excluding VAT and architect’s fees. This includes all the work for an office building with around 12,000 m2 of floor space, together with underground parking for ca. 300 cars.

The new port house design consists of two entities: the existing fire station and a new crystalline volume lifted above the retained building. Together they form a new landmark as the headquarters of the Antwerp port authority, overlooking the city and port.

‘I am absolutely delighted to be selected to build the headquarters for the APA. Antwerp is one of the world’s busiest shipping ports and the new port house design reflects the city’s worldwide significance in communication and transportation. The dichotomy between the reflective, faceted form of the new extension and the powerful structural mass of the existing fire station creates a bold and enigmatic statement for the city.‘    Zaha Hadid

The head of the building on the south side is a frame that looks towards the city and clearly marks the start of the port area. the outside walls are made up of glass triangles, some transparent and some reflecting. These do not all lie in the same plane but are rotated slightly with respect to one another, creating a reflecting play of incoming light in a reference to Antwerp’s diamond industry.’

‘The inner courtyard will be roofed over at the height of the second story so as to create an enclosed interior space. this central entrance hall will be considered as a semi-public space, with various enquiry desks integrated in the inside wall portals. A sculptural, sloping roof unites an underground lobby with the covered inner court. Access to the underground car park is an important aspect of the overall concept, with the loading & unloading bays and the refuse handling facilities also located here.‘    Zaha Hadid

The following information is from the port’s press release:

‘The design team from Zaha Hadid Architects proposed a very dynamic architecture that strikes up a dialogue with the Oosterweel road link, with the Lange Wapper bridge forming a backdrop to the New Port House. With its unique design, its facade architecture and its height of 46 meters, the new Port Authority will be an iconic building, visible from many different directions.

The concept is a free interpretation of a beam-shaped volume raised above the existing fire brigade building and supported on three sculptured concrete pillars housing the stairs and lifts. Two of the pillars are situated on the covered inner courtyard of the firehouse, while the third is located beside an external support point and consists of a panoramic lift shaft.

The new volume is oriented North-South parallel to the Kattendijk dock. The head of the building on the South side is a frame that looks towards the city and clearly marks the start of the port area.
The outside walls are made up of glass triangles, some transparent and some reflecting. These do not all lie in the same plane but are rotated slightly with respect to one another, creating an attractive reflecting play of incoming light in a reference to Antwerp’s diamond industry.

The present firehouse will be kept free of building all around, so that the four outside walls will be fully respected. As for the arrangement of the inside spaces, consultations will be held with Flanders Real Estate Heritage and the Monuments department of the City of Antwerp to determine whether open-plan offices (as laid down in the schedule of requirements) are possible, either partly of throughout.

The inner courtyard will be roofed over at the height of the second story so as to create an air-conditioned inside space. This central entrance hall will be considered as a semi-public space, with various enquiry desks (Personnel department, Harbormaster’s Office, Planning Permission & Environment Permit office and Port Dues payment desk) integrated in the inside wall portals.

A sculptural, sloping roof unites an underground lobby with the covered inner court. Access to the underground car park is an important aspect of the overall concept, with the loading & unloading bays and the refuse handling facilities also located here. The car park has space for 300 or so cars and consists of a single underground level. The design of the square can be arranged so that daylight is allowed to enter. The above-ground layout forms part of a design project that is being carried out in consultation with the city departments responsible, with the main imperative being to ‘preserve the visual quality of the outside spaces in the Het Eilandje area.’

The open plan offices are indeed very open, so that office staff will have a great impression of space with a view along the various outside walls. The concept for the open plan office also allows for small areas in which to hold meetings, along with separate study offices.’

For further information visit: www.portofantwerp.com.