Antwerp Port Authority, Belgium

World renowned architect Zaha Hadid has done it again. The Port of Antwerp recently announced that the future headquarters of the Antwerp Port Authority will be designed by Ms. Hadid’s London based firm.

The Port Authority selected Ms. Hadid because her firm’s “design preserves as much as possible of the dignity of the present building as a monument, adding a new object to the site.” The new design will place a glass extension at a height of 46 meters supported by three concrete pillars above the current structure, a fire brigade building.

Completed by 2013, the new office building will cover around 12, 000 square metres of floorspace to house nearly 500 people and facilitate an underground parking of 300 vehicles. The five storey extension will provide additional office space, as well as an auditorium and restaurant overlooking the port and the city of Antwerp.

The competition for the architectural firm was launched in December 2007, where nearly 100 firms responded. After a short list of five firms, Ms. Hadid’s firm was selected this January 13, 2009.

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