Gallery

Karim Moussa/Jimmy Vincent

The Harbor Service Building aims to become not only a gateway, but also a destination, a metropolitan space for public use and access to the waterfront. Its mass creates a hybrid of typologies. Atop the urban podium sits a contorted crystal, connected by a large atrium. The podium allows for a new harbor park with expansive views towards the City and its harbor. A diamond- shaped depression within the podium anchors the building in the site, articulating the fork at the corner where site directionalities diverge. In contrast to the more stationary podium, the coiling mass containing the harbor offices is orientated to the most important directions of the site with hovering projections. The coiling of the tower creates a partially enveloped central plaza between the offices, which is articulated by a rusticated facade treatment, producing a distinct sense of cavernous interiority. Like a large amethyst geode, the monolithic nature of the exterior mass contrasts with the extremely ornate environment.

The visual design is meant to compliment and celebrate the core concepts of the project in a unique and special approach, while highlighting its key features and representing it with a real sense of space and design, that emphasize the emotive qualities and leaves the viewer with a strong experience.