The Port House Antwerp – an architectural gem designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, London
Antwerp // Belgium

The breathtaking architectural design of the Port House in Antwerp’s harbour is based on three key concepts. Firstly, the old fire station – a listed Hanseatic-style building – and its façade have been preserved and restored to their former beauty. Secondly, the original structure was boldly combined with a vertical extension that seems to hover above it. And thirdly, a bridge was constructed to connect the building with the rest of the harbour.

It was in 2006 when Zaha Hadid Architects, London, cooperating with Belgian restoration specialists Origin, won a competition for to extend the original structure with a plan to place a new construction above the historic building. As a result, the port authority received new centrally located headquarters with innovative workspaces for about 500 staff.

Shaped like a ship’s bow, the emblematic extension facing the Schelde river is a link between the river, the port and the city. A stark contrast with the classical, linear façade, the outer shell of the new construction simply seems to float. This effect is created by a series of triangular window panes, some of them transparent, some matted, tilted at variable angles. These facets reflect the light of the ever-changing sky and the surroundings in a most spectacular way. On the front of the glittering façade, these window elements have been arranged in a flat pattern, while on the sides of the building all the way down to the back end, they are wave-shaped, which lends the structure organic, floating dynamics contrasting most stunningly with the rather sober Hanseatic style of the old fire station. It’s no coincidence that this evokes associations with a precious cut diamond as the transformed structure pays tribute to Antwerp’s reputation as a city of diamonds. With a balanced mix of opacity levels, the glass pieces make it possible to control how light permeates the building, providing not only pleasant working conditions but also phenomenal panoramic views over the cityscape.

Built on top of a massive support column, the new extension constructed using sustainable building techniques stretches over three floors (four floors at the backside). The look of the concrete support at the front repeats the shape of the wedge-like glass façade. The second support column, featuring an integrated panorama lift, is located inside the patio of the historic wing, so it connects the old and the new. The patio, covered by a glass roof comprises a lobby area for the entire construction where guests are welcome to visit the historic reading room and the library as well as a carefully restored fire engine hall.

A restaurant, meeting rooms and an auditorium are situated in the middle of the upper floors of the old wing and the bottom floor of the extension. Another room, located more towards the edge of the construction, is home to an open-plan office.

The Port House on 1, Zaha Hadidplein is a proud new landmark of Antwerp. It’s an architectural gem inserted boldly into the cityscape opening up like a gate towards the second largest port area in Europe. The building epitomises the tradition of successful overseas trading and growth in a vibrant port area where thousands of people go to work every day. It is a building that points to a bright future.

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Location: Antwerp, Belgium
Owner: Antwerp Port Authority
Architects: Zaha Hadid Architects (ZAH), London, UK
Designed by Zaha Hadid, Patrick Schumacher
Project director: Joris Pauels
Project manager: Jimmi Lee
Construction planning: Bureau Bouwtechniek, Antwerp
Energy technology: Ingenium Nv Acoustik, Bruges
Acoustics: Daidalos Peugz, Leuven
Restoration consultancy: Origin, Brussels
Façade construction: Groven+, Liège
Total floor space: 6,600 sqm (old building) plus 6,200 sqm (new construction)
Project completed in 2016
Photographers: Hufton + Crow