The initial destination for European expansion
The Port Authority Building (Dutch: Havenhuis) or Port House is a government building in Antwerp, Belgium, constructed between 2009 and 2016. Located in the Eiranger district of the Port of Antwerp, the new headquarters of the Port Authority of Antwerp houses various departments. The office of ESD ACADEMY is in one corner.
The expansion of the building is located directly above the renovated fire station. It has a glass-covered facade to "reflect the complex interaction of shades and colours in the air", a reference to the building's location surrounded by water.
The volume measures over 100 metres in length. The expansion resembles the hull of a sailing ship, with a protruding bow and the surface of the facets of a diamond facing the Kattendijk dock. This is also a reference to Antwerp's association with the diamond industry.
Zaha Hadidplein 1, 2030 Antwerp, Belgium
The iconic design by the renowned architect Zaha Hadid Architects takes the form of a diamond, and it is indeed striking. Alongside its contemporary superstructure, this building constitutes the entirety of the Port House. The nocturnal view of the building exudes a sense of romance and a rich history, while also serving as a metaphor for a 21st-century harbor ready to confront the future with sustainable development, standing resolutely in contrast.