Archinect - News

Closer look: Zaha Hadid's new “floating” Port House in Antwerp

2016-09-23T18:07:00-04:00

The glistening Port House in Antwerp is Zaha Hadid's latest project to be completed posthumously. But the glass building isn't mere folly. Built atop a disused historic fire station, the striking landmark operates as the new headquarters for the Port of Antwerp, Europe's second largest port.

ZHA was selected to design the new extension following a competition, in which the main objective was to preserve the original fire station, according to Port of Antwerp president Marc Van Peel. All five shortlisted competitors proposed a new structure above the building, but the Port deemed Zaha's design as “the most brilliant”.

At 111 meters long and 21 meters high, the new glass extension “floats” above the old fire station. “Like the bow of a ship, the new extension points towards the Scheldt, connecting the building with the river on which Antwerp was founded,” ZHA describes.

The building also shows off a glazed facade of transparent and opaque triangular facets that allow sufficient natural l...

Zaha Hadid Architects to continue under Patrik Schumacher's leadership

2016-04-20T17:30:00-04:00

Zaha Hadid Architects issued a formal statement announcing that the firm will continue to move forward, with Patrik Schumacher acting as de facto leader. In addition to finishing the 36 projects they had started or had under contract before Dame Hadid died on March 31st, ZHA will also be taking on new work. According to The New York Times, in addition to opening new offices in Mexico City and Dubai, the firm "also hopes to push further into aviation, having won a contract for a new airport in Beijing." In tomorrow's episode of Archinect Sessions, Schumacher will share his personal and professional reflections on Hadid's legacy, and elaborate on how he'll carry Hadid's "DNA" and his p arametricist ideas into new arenas.

“We want to tell the world that we’re still a viable, vibrant address for major work of cultural importance," Schumacher told the NYT. “My ambition is to become more visible as a leader of the field to clients."

He also stated that he wants to continue moving forward on ...