[ Asymptote Architecture and Artech Architects ] Kaohsiung Port Terminal

Asymptote Architecture and Artech Architects were awarded a close second place finish for the Kaohsiung Marine Gateway project. The project proposes a 200m long structure situated between two 14 story towers located at the cities newly developed harbor edge. The proposal calls for a new urban intervention at the cities waterfront combining both cultural and commercial aspects with the port terminal functions the building is designed to house. The buildings technological envelope and architecture and is designed to be a striking and elegant addition to the quickly changing city of Kaohsiung and to act as a catalyst for unique and sustained urban development over the coming years and decades.

Architects: Asymptote Architecture and Artech Architects
Location: Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Project Team: Asymptote Architecture – Hani Rashid & Lise Anne Couture,  Artech Architects – Kris Yao
Structural Engineering: Knippers Helbig
Environmental Engineering: Transsolar
Cruise Consultant: Parsons Brinckerhoff
Fire, Electrical & Plumbing: Heng Kai
Traffic Engineering: Everest
Project Area: 40,000 sqm
Client: Kaohsiung Harbor Bureau
Competition: Kaohsiung Port Terminal 2010
Photographs: Courtesy of Asymptote Architecture

Asymptote’s design for the new Kaohsiung Marine Gateway Terminal proposes a visually powerful and highly efficient transport and public facility that connects the heart of Kaohsiung to the city’s impressive waterfront. The Kaohsiung Marine Gateway Terminal as envisioned by Asymptote is designed to invigorate and activate Kaohsiung’s city edge at the waterfront though vibrant open public spaces and facilities that together bring a powerful and electric experience to the city 24 hours a day. The new Kaohsiung Marine Gateway Terminal would become the primary marine gateway to both the city of Kaohsiung as well as to all of Taiwan.

The new Kaohsiung Marine Gateway Terminal is designed as a new state of the art transport interchange, a destination with both public and private commercial facilities including exhibition and event spaces for the people of Kaohsiung as well as for national and international visitors. The project transforms the site from its industrial roots into a dynamic urban hub, the new terminal is a celebration of international travel as well as local culture and recreation.

GLOBAL GATEWAY
Asymptote’s design for new Kaohsiung Marine Gateway Terminal is a contemporary and dynamic architectural expression of the city’s vitality and life. The key component of this port facility is the elevated terminal building that accommodates the major programmatic elements associated with passenger travel. This powerful yet elegant structure is cradled and framed by two flanking dynamic towers that together create a new gateway for Kaohsiung. The relationship between the elevated cruise terminal structure and the two accompanying office towers are joined by an open plaza, an articulated yet continuous public space located at the very intersection of circulation paths that draws the urban space of Kaohsiung into the heart of the project and the water’s edge back towards the city. These pathways provide an efficient means of circulating through the site and to the waterfront as well as civic access to a number of important public spaces and programs. This intertwining of public and private access as well as programming creates an invigorated public realm, providing a unique experience to ship passengers. The Kaohsiung Marine Gateway Terminal is not only a well functioning port facility but also an eventful and visually striking landmark for the city of Kaohsiung.

POETIC LIGHT & WATER
The elevated cruise ship terminal sits delicately and majestically above a large open public landscaped plaza that is activated by the flow of people moving back and forth between the harbor edge and the city. From the city, the terminal is an urban scaled window or aperture that frames the harbor and water beyond. Approaching the terminal from the city side a gently graded ramp invites people up to the Gateway Plaza, an active public space located beneath the illuminated and sculpted underside of the floating Terminal Building. This new elevated public space, sheltered from the strong sun and seasonal rains, provides a spectacular vantage point to overlook the diverse surroundings of the Port of Kaohsiung. This dramatic yet refined plaza frames views of the city and its’ skyline on one side while providing impressive views of the harbor and sea beyond on the other.

INSPIRED DESTINATION
Inspired by the canopies and majestic overhangs of traditional Taiwanese architecture, the cantilevered architecture of the new Kaohsiung Marine Gateway Terminal provides not only a sense of architectural spectacle and event but creates exciting vistas and public spaces for both visitors and locals alike. Within the building’s curvilinear architecture are numerous exhibition and event spaces, night markets, cafes and restaurants. These public programs are all integrated carefully with the architecture of the Terminal and the landscaping of the site and surroundings to create a vibrant addition to the new green edge of the Kaohsiung’s waterfront.

JOURNEY
After entering the impressive and voluminous check-in hall, passengers rise up and through a dramatic vertical opening into an expansive and dynamic departure lounge area that hovers above the site. It is here that the new Terminal reaches a spectacular culmination; defined by the sophisticated geometry of the curved ceiling and illuminated by an ever-changing pattern of natural light, the dramatic views towards the City and the Kaohsiung skyline on one side views and sweeping panoramas of the Sea, the sky and the beckoning horizon on the other, celebrate the events of both arrival and departure.
The Kaohsiung Marine Port Terminal aspires to absorb and channel the vibrant energy of Kaohsiung into a dramatic and dynamic urban interchange where maritime travel and public interaction together provide a powerful experience of a landmark gateway and a key urban destination in and of itself. Predicated on providing an urban hub of activity, excitement and sophistication, the Terminal celebrates the city, the sea and Taiwanese culture. Event and space brought together through a harmonious and powerful architecture.


from  archdaily