Luchtfoto © GDI-Vlaanderen Luchtfoto © GDI-Vlaanderen

Project description

In addition to an educational centre, the initiators also want to develop a scientifically-founded information and promotional centre for both the general public and harbour professionals, so that Ghent harbour with its wealth of components can be put in the spotlight and on the social map. The building programme should create a perfect symbiosis between the two prime functions.

The building is to be a beacon, an emblem and icon for Ghent's harbour. It is a statement and will rise literally and figuratively above ground level.

The building will be at the southern end of the Grootdok, on the Rigakaai. On the one side one sees the three towers of Ghent, on the other the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal. This encounter between the city and the sea should be expressed clearly in the building.

The project should also exert a positive attraction on behalf of the harbour and add significance to the industrial landscape.

Within a set area, the designer will be able to determine the site on which the building stands out best, while taking account of the existing harbour activities and of the possibility of building on or over the water.

In addition to the harbour centre, with its area of 1700 to 2000 sq. m., the Ghent Harbour Authority (GAB) also needs a building to house the 'Schipperij' Department. This is a building with services for the crew of the ships moored at the Rigakaai, plus the associated administrative areas. The harbour centre and the 'Schipperij' building may be separate buildings but part of an overall concept, or a single physical entity.

The client is looking for an innovative, high-performance, integrated concept with an eye to accessibility and sustainability, also in the sense that it can be changed and managed over time. The project must be ecologically well-founded so that it is not only exemplary but perhaps even innovative.

This is an exceptional assignment. The client is looking for a team that has a varied range of expertise in order to supervise a process in which architecture, the layout of the surroundings, use and sustainability are tackled as one.

Gent OO1517

Full design brief for the construction of a harbour information centre and layout of the surrounding area in Ghent.

Project status
Location

Rigakaai, 9000 Gent
Zuidelijke kop Grootdok tussen de Rigakaai en de Port

Timing project
  • Toewijzen opdracht aan de ontwerpers: 1 Jun 2008
  • Toewijzen opdracht aan de uitvoerders: 1 Jun 2009
  • In gebruikname: 1 Jun 2011
Client

Havenbedrijf Gent GAB

Procedure

prijsvraag voor ontwerpen met gunning via onderhandelingsprocedure zonder bekendmaking.

External jury member

André Loeckx

Budget

€3.550.000 (excl. VAT) (excl. Fees)

Awards designers

€10.000 excl. BTW per laureaat