An Impressive Glass Construction for the New Headquarters of the Antwerp Port Authority
A pearl of architecture in Antwerp, designed by Zaha Hadid, serves as the new headquarters of the Antwerp Port Authority. This "bold and innovative building" is a symbolic gateway to the port area.
The new headquarters of the Antwerp Port Authority – the Port House – is located at the boundary between the city of Antwerp in Belgium and its harbor. The renowned architectural firm Zaha Hadid Architects designed this impressive faceted glass structure, which sits atop a century-old former fire station that has been adapted to meet the needs of the new Port Authority. The structure stretches over 100 meters in length, nearly matching the length of the historic fire station beneath it. Thanks to this expansion, the building can now accommodate 500 employees of the Port Authority, who had previously been working in various locations scattered throughout the city. The building offers views of both the port and the city, shimmering as if in constant motion. This effect is enhanced by a massive diagonally positioned concrete “leg” and a cantilever on one side, and faceted triangular glass panels on the other.
The superstructure is clad with both transparent and matte triangular glass panels, creating a flat surface on the southern side and a wavy texture on the northern side, mimicking the surface of water. This design approach visually breaks down the scale of the construction while also providing the right amount of daylight, shade, and views of the Scheldt River, the city, and the port for those working inside. One of the project’s challenges was ensuring that none of the original façades of the historic fire station would be obscured, as it is a listed heritage building. Therefore, the decision was made to place the addition on the roof. The central courtyard of the fire station was also covered with glass and now serves as the main reception hall of the Port Authority.
