lorcan o’herlihy architects’ proposal for port of kinmen competition
all images courtesy of lorcan o’herlihy architects

 

 

 

receiving third place for their proposal to the ‘port of kinmen passenger service center’ competition, lorcan o’herlihy architects envisions a structure that intertwines a public park with building functions. located in taiwan, the project draws upon the community’s rich history of cultural collaboration and natural connectivity serving as both a gateway and a destination. the facility is able to accommodate thousands of daily passenger visits, while maintaining a graceful presence on the island’s waterfront. the scheme is generated from a grid of folded triangular planes that weave the vegetated landscape through and above the internal volume.

 

an animation describing the competition proposal’s strategy
video courtesy of lorcan o’herlihy architects

 

 

 

conceptualized as both a landscape and a building, the port seeks to combine a waterfront park with a transport terminal. to preserve kinmen’s relationship to the sea, the passenger service center is lifted above the ground plane so that clear views extend through the structure to the water.

lorcan o'herlihy architects' proposal for port of kinmen competition
the sea-facing elevation is visually open to allow views to the ocean
image by nephew

lorcan o'herlihy architects' proposal for port of kinmen competitiontriangular planes touch down to the ground level at the south entry

 

 

 

the folding planes create ideal opportunities for natural daylighting, smooth circulation flows, and the integration of natural park space throughout the building. the new park will house a number of amenities for travelers and residents, including gardens and orchards, water features, scenic overlooks, performance seating, and event space. from above, the roof plan looks like a woven tapestry of programmed textures. the lattice derives its color and patterning from the intricate vernacular detailing of existing island buildings. inside, the green space becomes a backdrop for passenger activities.

lorcan o'herlihy architects' proposal for port of kinmen competition
the arrival area

lorcan o'herlihy architects' proposal for port of kinmen competition
the ground floor drop off accesses program above and below
image by nephew

 

 

 

visitors are allowed views from the rooftop park and the glass promenade running along the north face of the building. internally, passengers may take in sweeping vistas from waiting lounges, shopping and restaurants. the administration tower, at a slightly higher vantage point, looks back towards kinmen island’s lush landscape.

lorcan o'herlihy architects' proposal for port of kinmen competition
a waiting lounge offers a place for temporary relaxation
image by nephew

lorcan o'herlihy architects' proposal for port of kinmen competition
the facility’s north elevation viewed from the sea

loha-designboom-01
cross section through the international waiting lounge

lorcan o'herlihy architects' proposal for port of kinmen competition
aerial view of the waterfront structure

lorcan o'herlihy architects' proposal for port of kinmen competitionexploded diagram separating primary building elements

lorcan o'herlihy architects' proposal for port of kinmen competitiontriangular program options

lorcan o'herlihy architects' proposal for port of kinmen competition
site plan

 

 

 

project info:

 

location: kinmen, taiwan
size: 42,200 sq. meters
architect: lorcan o’herlihy architects
project team: lorcan o’herlihy (principal), nick hopson (project architect), jessica colangelo (project designer),
jonathan gayomali, charles sharpless, cameron northrup, leo yu, samuel kim, jennie matusova, kate chiu
executive architect: eds international
engineering: arup taipei
landscape: surfacedesign
select renderings and animation: nephew

 

 

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