The new Port House in Antwerp repurposes, renovates and extends a derelict fire station into a new headquarters for the port – bringing together the port’s 500 staff that previously worked in separate buildings around the city.

With 12 km of docks, Antwerp is Europe’s second largest shipping port, serving 15,000 sea trade ships and 60,000 inland barges each year.

Antwerp handles 26% of Europe’s container shipping, transporting more than 200 million tonnes of goods via the ocean-going vessels that call at the port and providing direct employment for over 60,000 people, including more than 8,000 port workers.

Indirectly, the Port of Antwerp ensures about 150,000 jobs and has ambitious targets for future expansion to meet the continent’s growth and development over the next century.

In 2007, when the former 1990s offices of the Port of Antwerp had become too small, the port determined that relocation would enable its technical and administrative services to be housed together, providing new accommodation for about 500 staff. The port required a sustainable and future-proof workplace for its employees, representing its ethos and values in an ever-expanding local and international arena.

As the threshold between the city and its vast port, Mexico Island in Antwerp’s Kattendijk dock on Quay 63 was selected as the site for the new head office. The waterside site also offered significant sustainable construction benefits, allowing materials and building components to be transported by water, an important requirement to meet the port’s ecological targets.

Following the construction of a new fire station with facilities needed to service the expanding port, the old fire station on the Mexico Island site – a listed replica of a Hanseatic residence – became redundant and relied on a change of use to ensure its preservation. This disused fire station had to be integrated into the new project. The Flemish government's department of architecture, together with the City and Port authorities organized the architectural competition for the new headquarters.

Zaha Hadid Architects' design is informed by detailed historical research and a thorough analysis of both the site and the existing building.

Marc Van Peel, president of the Port of Antwerp, said: “There was only one rule laid down in the architectural competition, namely that the original building had to be preserved. There were no other requirements imposed for the positioning of the new building. The jury was therefore pleasantly surprised when the five shortlisted candidates all opted for a modern structure above the original building. They all combined the new with the old, but the design by Zaha Hadid Architects was the most brilliant.”

Working with Origin, leading heritage consultants in the restoration and renovation of historic monuments, ZHA’s studies of the site’s history and heritage are the foundations of the design which firstly emphasises the north-south site axis parallel with the Kattendijkdok linking the city centre to the port. Secondly, due to its location surrounded by water, the building's four elevations are considered of equal importance with no principal facade. ZHA’s design is an elevated extension, rather than a neighbouring volume which would have concealed at least one of the existing facades.

ZHA and Origin’s historic analysis of the old fire station also highlighted the role of its originally intended tower - a grand, imposing component of the fire station's Hanseatic design. Its bold vertical statement, intended to crown the imposing volume of the building below, was never realised.

These three key principles define the design’s composition of new and old: a new volume that ‘floats’ above the old building, respecting each of the old facades and completing the verticality of the original design’s unrealised tower.

Continued Like the bow of a ship, the new extension points towards the Scheldt, connecting the building with the river on which Antwerp was founded.

Surrounded by water, the new extension's façade is a glazed surface that ripples like waves and reflects the changing tones and colours of the city’s sky. Triangular facets allow the apparently smooth curves at either end of the building to be formed with flat sheets of glass. They also facilitate the gradual transition from a flat façade at the south end of the building to a rippling surface at the north.

While most of the triangular facets are transparent, some are opaque. This calibrated mix ensures sufficient sunlight within the building, while also controlling solar load to guarantee optimal working conditions. At the same time, the alternation of transparent and opaque facade panels breaks down the volume of the new extension, giving panoramic views of the Scheldt, the city and the Port as well as providing enclosure.

The façade’s rippling quality is generated with flat facets to the south that gradually become more three-dimensional towards to the north. This perception of a transparent volume, cut to give the new building its sparkling appearance, reinterprets Antwerp’s moniker as the city of diamonds. The new extension appears as a carefully cut form which changes its appearance with the shifting intensity of daylight. Like the ripples on the surface of the water in the surrounding port, the new façade reflects changing light conditions.

The old fire station’s central courtyard has been enclosed with a glass roof and is transformed into the main reception area for the new Port House. From this central atrium, visitors access the historic public reading room and library within the disused fire truck hall which has been carefully restored and preserved. Panoramic lifts provide direct access to the new extension with an external bridge between the existing building and new extension giving panoramic views of the city and port.

The client requirements for an ‘activity based office’ are integrated within the design, with related areas such as the restaurant, meeting rooms and auditorium located at the centre of the upper levels of the existing building and the bottom floors of the new extension. The remaining floors more remote from the centre, comprise open plan offices.

Collaborating with services consultant Ingenium, ZHA developed a sustainable and energy-efficient design reaching a ‘Very Good’ BREEAM environmental rating. Despite the challenges of integrating with a protected historic building, high standards in sustainable design were achieved by implementing effective strategies at each stage of construction. A borehole energy system pumps water to a depth of 80m below grade in over 100 locations around the building to provide heating and cooling. In the existing building, this system uses chilled beams. In the new extension, it uses chilled ceilings.

Waterless lavatory fittings and motion detectors minimise water consumption while building automation and optimal daylight controls minimise artificial lighting.

With constant references to the Scheldt, the city of Antwerp and the dynamics of its port, married with the successful renovation and reuse of a redundant fire station integrating it as a fully-fledged part of its headquarters - the new Port House will serve the port well through its planned expansion over future generations.

Marc Van Peel said: “The architectural style of the original building, a replica of the former Hansa House, recalls the 16th century, Antwerp's "golden century." But now above this original, a contemporary structure in shining glass has been built, which I am sure, represents a new golden century for Antwerp.”

17-Oct-2011

Top architect Zaha Hadid launches construction of new Port House

Antwerp, 10 September 2012 - The leading British architect Zaha Hadid gave the official order to begin construction work on Port House, the new headquarters for Antwerp Port Authority on the Kattendijk dock. The order was given in the presence of the Flemish ministers Hilde Crevits and Geert Bourgeois, port alderman Marc Van Peel and Port Authority CEO Eddy Bruyninckx. Once the new headquarters is handed over in 2015 the Port Authority will overcome the urgent shortage of space in its present headquarters. But beyond that the new Port House will stand as a symbolic gateway to the port area. The actual construction work will start on 1 October 2012 and will take 33 calendar months.

The design

The new Port House is a two-part design, consisting of a dynamic beam-shaped structure raised above the former fire station, a listed building which is being restored and given a dramatic new role. The two components make the Port House a volumetric composition that offers breathtaking views across the city and its port. The superstructure façade is made up of glass triangles, each slightly rotated with respect to each other, producing a constantly changing play of reflected light. The unusual design also poses a challenge for the contractors who will do the actual building work. For example, the subcontractor responsible for the 1500-tonne steel structure, Victor Buyck Steel Construction, has opted to build it in a modual way in six large parts. These will be constructed in workshops in Wondelgem and carried to Antwerp by barge. Facilities

The new building will provide a workplace for some 500 Port Authority employees. Some of the landscape offices and meeting rooms will be housed in the existing building, the former fire station. These areas will be accessed from the central atrium. There are also open-plan offices and meeting rooms within the new volume, but in addition there will be an auditorium and a company restaurant with a panoramic view. Staff and visitors will access this part by panoramic lifts. Flemish minister Geert Bourgeois, responsible for Real Estate Heritage, is full of admiration for the efforts made by the Port Authority to preserve and repurpose the 90-year-old fire station, giving it a new future while continuing to serve the public and the port. “The project largely respects the material integrity of this historic building,” he declared. The minister has granted a subsidy of 2.1 million euros for restoration of the fire station.

Investment plan

Altogether the new Port House will cost 49.9 million euros. This investment forms part of the wide-ranging investment programme of 1.6 billion euros approved by the Port Authority board of directors in 2010. The financial effort represented by this plan will ensure that Antwerp can further reinforce its position as the second-largest port in Europe, and that Port Authority employees will have the necessary resources to provide high-level service for customers of the port. For example, in the near future the tug fleet will acquire a series of new tugs, while the dredger fleet will acquire new hopper dredging barges. “These investments are less visible to the outside world than the architecture of our new headquarters, but they are just as essential for our operations,” explained port alderman Marc Van Peel. Connection between city and port

“With the new Port House we have given a face to the world-class port that Antwerp undoubtedly is. With its dynamic, ambitious and innovative design it stands as a symbol for our port,” Van Peel continued. “From the new buildiong visitors will have a truly impressive view over the city as well as the port, so further strengthening the dialogue between the people of Anwerp and their port.” Flemish minister of Transport & Public Works Hilde Crevits added: “The new Port House designed by Zaha Hadid will be a proud landmark for Antwerp. The striking design will give Antwerp a wonderful architectural jewel that matches its position and importance as a world port. Along with the MAS museum and the new Port House, the new Antwerp Coordination Center will further consolidate this position. In functional terms the new coordination centre will bring together all the actors in the chain of shipping traffic management physically together on a single platform, while the building itself designed by the architectural firm of Neutelings-Riedijk will also be distinctive. Together, these three landmarks will bind the city and the port close together.”

The Havenhuis or Port House building dominates the port of Antwerp (Belgium), a truly stunning building by architect Zaha Hadid. Yet another reason to visit the second largest seaport in Europe, which handles over 14.000 trade ships per year.

The initial building was a heritage listed fire station, but in dire need of a complete renovation. For this reason, the Flemish government's department of architecture, together with the City and Port authorities established an architectural competition for the new headquarters. There was only one rule: preserving the building’s traditional name, Havenhuis.

Zaha Hadid, Anglo-Iraqi architect and the first woman to receive the Pritzker Architecture Prize, in 2004, designed a project that preserved the original building and made it part of something much bigger.

The architectural style of the original building recalls the 16th century, Antwerp's golden century. The gigantic extension is elevated above its natural slate roof, ensuring none of the original facades are concealed. Zaha Hadid Architects chose CUPA 4 EXCELLENCE natural slate for its proven record in Belgium, both for historical building renovation and new projects.

The new 4 levelled structure is 105 m long and weighs 1500 tons. From the distance, it looks like a large glass ship carried by two immense pillars of white concrete. The structure is now affectionally known as “the diamond ship” for the triangular shape of its 2.000 glass panels and the history of Antwerp as hub of the diamond trade. The whole building has a total floorplan of 12,800 square metres – 6,600 square metres in the refurbished fire station and a further 6,200 square metres in the extension.

Zaha Hadid’s Havenhuis is the perfect representation of the evolution of Antwerp from pioneers of world trade to one of the biggest modern seaports in the world. After her death in 2016, months before the project was completed, the city council decided to change the nearby public square to Zaha Hadid Square as a tribute to her contribution to the city. 

Recognized for its maritime importance by Napoleon Bonaparte, the Port of Antwerp is the second largest port in Europe and fifth largest in the world, and has had a significant impact on European history. Appropriately known as “the Diamond Capital of the World,” Antwerp sees $16 billion in polished diamonds pass through its exchanges each year, with the city boasting an overall turnover of $54 billion in the gemstone.

By 2007, however, the Port of Antwerp had outgrown its office space. To maintain the port’s prominence in an ever expanding international arena, the city needed a sustainable, future-proof workplace, with a design that represented the city’s past, present and future.

An historic fire station dating from 1911 was selected as the site for the new head office, and an architectural competition ensued that welcomed architects to submit a design to capture the spirit of Antwerp. According to Marc Van Peel, President, Port of Antwerp, “only one rule was laid down in the architectural competition … namely, that the original building had to be preserved.”

The (late) world renowned Architect Zaha Hadid’s imaginative vision captured the hearts and minds of competition judges, and she was awarded the privilege of designing the new “jewel” of the port. Her challenge was to design an iconic building that was inspirational yet functional – both inside and outside. To achieve this harmony, it was critical that the building’s interior maintain the uniqueness of the superstructure, while meeting very specific functional needs.

Hadid effortlessly juxtaposed Antwerp’s past with its future, incorporating its maritime significance as well as its status as the world’s Diamond Capital. The multi-story diamond shaped structure includes restaurants and an auditorium. And, while it currently supports 450 employees, it is designed with the flexibility to grow as a workplace for 600 employees.

To compliment the iconic structure and allow future workforce expansion, the building needed iconic washroom facilities that guaranteed sophistication, privacy, and the flexibility to grow. To deliver on these lofty washroom design requirements, Zaha Hadid Architects turned to ASI Alpaco™. Custom-made, extra-height black Alpaco™ cubicles provide superior privacy in the stunning washrooms. Stainless steel hardware accent the washroom design, adding distinction worthy of the building’s reputation and a touch of modern aesthetics. The elegance of stainless steel washroom accessories add sophistication to an already distinct design.

Today, visiting trade delegations cannot miss the new Port House, which serves as the headquarters for the Antwerp Port Authority and is considered the “jewel” of the port. “With the new Port House we have given a face to the world-class port that Antwerp undoubtedly is. With its dynamic, ambitious and innovative design it stands as a symbol for our port,” said Marc Van Peel, Port Alderman, President of the Port of Antwerp.

The structure blends both the historical heritage of the city with the modernization of the future to create a flagship building celebrating Antwerp as the Diamond Capital of the World. “The new Port House designed by Zaha Hadid is a proud landmark for Antwerp. The striking design gives Antwerp a wonderful architectural jewel that matches its position and importance as a world port,” said Hilde Crevits, Flemish minister of Transport & Public Works.

The new Port House in Antwerp, which was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, repurposes, renovates and extends a derelict fire station into a new headquarters for the port. The two-part design consists of a dynamic beam-shaped structure that ‘floats’ above the original building.

The superstructure’s façade is a glazed surface that ripples like waves and reflects the changing colours of the sky. Its rippling quality is generated with flat facets to the south that gradually become more three-dimensional towards to the north. While most of the triangular facets are transparent, some are opaque. This mix ensures sufficient sunlight within the building to guarantee optimal working conditions.

The goal was to create an ‘activity based office’. This resulted in areas such as the restaurant, meeting rooms and auditorium being located at the centre of the upper levels of the old building and the bottom floors of the extension. The remaining floors, which are more remote from the centre, comprise open plan offices. The new port house provides a workplace for approximately 500 port employees.

Cooperation

Sustainability was a pivotal aspect in this project. In order to achieve high standards in energy-efficient design, the client was in need of custom-made lighting solutions that fulfilled his demands and expectations perfectly. As lighting manufacturer who excels in customizing light profiles, Multiline was tasked with the illumination of the offices and restaurant in the new structure as well as the main entrance in the original building. All the products needed to fit exactly into the foreseen openings in the ceiling. To meet this requirement, extremely detailed lighting plans and calculations had to be made, which ultimately led to the creation of a unique and efficient light profile.

Realisation

New tooling materials were necessary to develop a new profile, diffuser and blind plate. The result was a 90mm wide profile foreseen with high-quality LED modules and DALI dimmable LED drivers from Tridonic. These elements guarantee a very long lifetime as well as low maintenance and energy costs for the end user, which underlines our special attention for energy-efficiency. Demands regarding glare and lux level for the general office lighting were also met without fault with the custom-made light profile.

The architectural and technological aspects were two other focus points in the development of the lighting fixtures. Due to the unique design of the ceilings, all profiles required different lengths and angles. Diffusers and blind plates were built to be perfectly in line with the ceiling plates, resulting in a beautiful streamlined view in the offices. Furthermore, the client demanded the integration of many technological options into our lighting systems: from presence detection, light sensors, smoke sensors to even a sprinkler system. Multiline was clearly able to fulfil every wish of the client and absolutely succeeded in showcasing its role as a leading manufacturer of custom-made lighting solutions.