Antwerp Port Authority Headquarters,
design: Zaha Hadid Architects
Port House, the new headquarters of the Antwerp Port Authority, is one of the most important and distinctive developments in contemporary office architecture. The Zaha Hadid Architects studio's project, completed in 2016, is an excellent example of the successful integration of historical heritage with innovative form. Through the redevelopment and expansion of a former fire station, the team designed a space that consolidates previously dispersed offices and integrates more than 500 employees, while fitting into the dynamic context of one of Europe's largest ports.
A view of Port House from a waterfront perspective - the integration of the historic firehouse and modern glass superstructure
Photo: Hufton+Crow © Zaha Hadid Architects
Antwerp - Europe's key port
and the challenges of a modern headquarters
The Port of Antwerp is the second-largest seaport on the Old Continent, and its role extends far beyond the borders of Belgium. It handles 15,000 seagoing vessels and 60,000 inland barges annually, accounting for 26 percent of European container transport and handling more than 200 million tons of cargo. The port employs more than 60,000 people, and the port's economic activities generate about 150,000 jobs in the region. Dynamic infrastructure development and growing operational requirements necessitated the creation of a modern, efficient and representative headquarters for the port authority to meet both logistical and image challenges.
The glass superstructure resembles a precision-cut diamond
Photo: Hufton+Crow © Zaha Hadid Architects
location and heritage
- history inscribed in the site
The choice of site for the new headquarters fell on the so-called Mexico Island, located at the Kattendijk docks, in close proximity to extensive port areas and water arteries. This strategic location, linking the port to the city center, was the perfect starting point for the new development. At the center of the island was a historic fire station - a faithful replica of a Hanseatic mansion from the 16th century, listed in the Register of Historic Places. This historic building, although largely out of use, became the foundation of the new headquarters. The preservation and adaptation of the watchtower was a prerequisite set by the organizers of the architectural competition, which further emphasized the importance of the dialogue between tradition and modernity.
The old firehouse is the historic base of the project, integrated with modern architecture - elevation drawing
© Zaha Hadid Architects
architectural competition
- Zaha Hadid's innovation wins
In 2007, a competition for the design of the new port headquarters was announced, with the condition that the historic building be preserved. Of the five finalists, Zaha Hadid Architects' proposal was the winner, showing exceptional sensitivity to the site's context and formal courage. Project director Joris Pauwels, together with lead architect Jinmi Lee, proposed a solution in which a modern, lightweight superstructure "floats" above the historic watchtower, creating a dynamic composition without interfering with the original facades. This subtle intervention preserved the historic identity of the site while opening it up to the future. Moreover, the design refers to the unfinished watchtower - originally planned but never realized - which the new volume symbolically complements, emphasizing the building's vertical emphasis and visual dominance against the harbor.
The "diamond" effect - a precise grinding of glass panes that reflect the sky and change colors depending on weather conditions
Photo: Hufton+Crow © Zaha Hadid Architects
form and symbolism
- architecture like a diamond on water
The new 111-meter-long and 21-meter-high superstructure was designed to resemble the prow of a ship facing the Scald River. This is a conscious reference to Antwerp's maritime character, highlighted by dynamic lines and a form reminiscent of finely polished stone. The glass facades create the illusion of waves, and their changing appearance under the influence of light is a symbol of the variability and life of the port. A unique feature of the facades is the use of triangular panes of glass - some transparent, some opaque - which not only creates an interesting play of light, but also functions as effective thermal control and interior illumination. This treatment made it possible to create office spaces with panoramic views of the port, river and city.
Port House in Antwerp
© Zaha Hadid Architects
functional program and interior organization
Port House occupies a total of 20,800 square meters of space, 12,800 square meters of which are above-ground spaces, divided between a renovated watchtower and a new superstructure. A parking garage has been located underground, housing 190 bicycle spaces and 25 charging stations for electric cars, responding to the needs of green mobility.
Office spaces inside with a brutalist character
Photo: Hufton+Crow © Zaha Hadid Architects
The interiors were designed according to the "activity-based office" concept , promoting flexibility and diversification of work spaces. At the center of the building were a restaurant, conference rooms and an auditorium, which provide a common place for meetings and information exchange. The rest of the space is open-plan offices, fostering communication and team collaboration.
Panoramic views from Port House
Photo: Hufton+Crow © Zaha Hadid Architects
sustainable technologies
and ecology in architecture
The Port House project is also an example of advanced ecological solutions. A system of submersible pumps, operating at a depth of 80 meters, was used to power the chilled beams and ceilings, providing efficient and energy-saving cooling for the interiors. The building is also equipped with waterless toilets, motion sensors and intelligent lighting control systems that adapt to outdoor conditions and the number of users. These innovations allowed the building to achieve a BREEAM certification at a very good level, confirming the high quality and environmental performance of the investment.
Port House in Antwerp
Photo: Hufton+Crow © Zaha Hadid Architects
A symbol of Antwerp's new era
Port House is a project that clearly shows how architecture can combine respect for history with modernity and development ambitions. As port chairman Marc Van Peel stressed, the preservation of the original building, a replica of a Hanseatic residence from the 16th century, is a tribute to Antwerp's golden age. In turn, a dynamic glass structure rises above it, symbolizing a new chapter - a new golden age for the city and its port. This development not only integrates various administrative functions, but also exemplifies the harmony between tradition and innovation, serving the next generation of Antwerp's employees and residents.
Elaborated: Anastazja Dżupina
Illustrations provided courtesy of Zaha Hadid Architects.
