WELCOME TO ANTWERPIST, your guide to the best of Antwerp! Today, we will show you one of the most unique and eye-catching buildings in the city. It is the Havenhuis, designed by the world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid. Let’s take a tour!
The Havenhuis, which is Dutch for “port house”, is located in the Port of Antwerp. It serves as the headquarters of the Antwerp Port Authority and is home to 500 staff.
The building is a testament to the city’s rich maritime history. The building was designed to resemble the bow of a ship. It is perched atop a former fire station, visible from the central courtyard.
The Havenhuis is a remarkable structure. It has a steel and glass exterior. Its unique design is composed of both transparent and opaque facets. This allows it to beautifully reflect the water and sky of its surrounding environment.
Inside, the building is just as impressive, with sweeping curves and sleek lines that create a sense of movement and fluidity.
The building’s design is not only visually stunning, but also functional. The Havenhuis was designed with sustainability and energy-efficiency in mind. It has a green roof, which helps to maintain the building’s temperature and cut down on energy usage.
But the Havenhuis is more than just a beautiful building. It’s also a symbol of Antwerp’s forward-thinking approach to architecture and sustainability. The building has won numerous awards and has been recognized as one of the world’s most innovative and sustainable buildings.
Inspiration was clearly taken from Hadid’s earlier design of the Vitra fire station in Germany. The Havenhuis also inspired the later Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center in Baku, which won the museum design of the year award.
In 2004, Zaha Hadid was the awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize. She also received the prestigious RIBA Stirling Prize in 2010 en 2011.
The architect Zaha Hadid passed away in 2016. Despite this, her company, Zaha Hadid Architects, went on to achieve great success. They won numerous prizes and a gold medal in an architectural competition.
If you’re a fan of architecture or design by Zaha Hadid, the Havenhuis is a must-see attraction in Antwerp. Its bold and daring design is a testament to the city’s rich history and its commitment to a sustainable future. So why not take a trip to the Port of Antwerp and experience the Havenhuis for yourself?
