New Port House

Antwerp Port Authority headquarters in glass with design by Zaha Hadid

The design of the new headquarters of Antwerp Port Authority - by British architectural firm Zaha Hadid Architects - is, to put it mildly, a design that leaves no one unmoved. The new Port House is therefore characterized by a twofold design. After all, it starts from the restoration of the former fire station, a listed building, above which a dynamic boat-shaped volume is then conceived. In this way, the original building is given a new lease of life. The two separate parts also turn the Port House into a new volumetric constellation that offers impressive views of the city and port.

The new building facades are composed of glass triangles, which rotate slightly in relation to each other so that the incidence of light produces ever-changing reflections. The new building is the workplace of some 500 Port Authority employees. Some of the landscape offices and meeting rooms are housed in the existing building. These spaces are accessed from the central atrium. Landscape offices and meeting rooms are also provided in the new volume, as well as the auditorium and a panoramic company restaurant. Via panoramic elevators, employees and visitors reach this area.

The project developed in three phases: a first phase started with the underground parking, a second phase stripped the existing building of its technical installations, interior furnishings and roof, and finally, a third phase built the new office building. During the construction of the new office building, the existing office building was completely restored, furnished and finished.

The building achieved the BREEAM certificate "Very Good.

BAM fm is in charge of the maintenance of this building.