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Zaha Hadid: Havenhuis, Antwerpen

Normally I get provoked by the expression "The Interntional Star Architect". This does not mean that I have a general repugnance against internationally famous architects. But using such an expression facilitates that buildings designed by a such notability are beyond the criterions that in other cases would be used to evaluate architecture. To me, it is an expression closely related to "The Emperors New Clothes", and I am seized by an urge play the part of the child pointing out that in the real world the Emperor indeed is naked. Something like that happened one evening when I was watching the first part of the danish documentary "Architecture that splits the waters" (can be streamed from Danish Televison DR2 )

Iin this program there is a presentation of an Administration Building for the Harbour of Antwerpen, designed by Zaha Hadid, who is frequently referred to as an International Star Architect and also even as the most important female architect of our time. To avoid misunderstandings I will emphasize that this web post is not meant as general attack on her and her contributions in the field of controversial architecture around the world. My intention is merely that of conveying my reaction when I saw this particular building in Antwerpen.

The project comprehends the renovation of the old fire station building for the harbour, and a new superstructure built over it. The fire station is a cultural heritage listed building, and Joris Pauwls from the Zaha Hadid Office says in the program that one therefore had a close dialogue with the cultural heritage authorities. This is surely true, but nevertheless hard to believe regarding the result. Joris Pauwls admits also in the program that he was surprised that those authorities accepted the project at all.

When you are about to build something new in close connection to an older, heritage listed building, you can choose between trying in some way to harmonize with the older building, or you can choose to contrast, so there will be no doubt about what being old and what being new. Zaha Hadid did not only choose the last, furthermore she put her new building on top of the older one in a way that at least in my eyes is rather provoking. I do not think that I ever saw a more striking example of one building raping another. And I find it nearly unbelievable that the heritage authorities really have agreed to this.

If the site had been a narrow one it would have been somewhat easier to accept such a superstructure, if it had been designed with more respect for the existing building. But the project is actually located in the middle of a big open area, (which by the way now is titulated Zaha Hadidplein). So it would have absolutely possible to make an extension horisontally, and thus made it a bit easier to have the old building keeping its dignity.