Ferry Terminal

Jentz • Popp • Wiesner
with Alsop - Lyall, London

DFDS Ferry and Cruiser Terminal
Hamburg
 
competition 1989 - 1.price
completion 1993
BGF 14.500 qm


The ferry and cruiser terminal in the former fishing harbor at Hamburg-Altona is a maritime gateway to the world. The tradition-rich waterfront of the north bank of the Elbe is changing fundamentally, so the new terminal building will play a significant role in the further development of the entire area.
Similar to the urban-planning designs of the older passenger terminals like Kolumbuskai or Landungsbrücken, the new building is located right at the edge of the waterfront as a long structural harbor-element. The important central and maritime location of the terminal requires, above all, that it should be an attraction, even if no ferries or cruisers are moored at the quays, enlivening the area with its own dynamic.
The site has excellent connections to the city public transportation network. This is important because the different kinds of traffic are separated: lorries, container-trucks and cars have to pass through a check-in gate to reach the giant parking area and there await the ferries. Pedestrians arriving by public transportation go straight to the departure hall, from there over an adjustable, free-slung bridge, along the terminal façade and then straight onto the ships. Visitors and families have the opportunity to see departures off on an outside public observation-deck.
Parking-lots for tenants and employees are located directly under the terminal building. The height of the outside walls of the semi-basement parking garage fulfils the height regulation stipulated by the harbor authorities as a  protection against flooding.
The longitudinal terminal building invites visitors and passengers to linger. Waiting- areas, offices, counters, restaurants, bars and shops face the river. There is always something to see passing by.
The terminal structure was constructed employing a very fast and efficient construction method, therefore heavy, prefabricated and reinforced concrete construction elements were planned. Double pillars (A-columns) with pre-fabricated joists (V-beams) form the skeleton of the supporting structure. The beams span the entire building so that no supporting pillars are necessary. Users are absolutely free to furnishing and divide the interior spaces how they like. The use of prefabricated concrete structures also guarantees easy maintenance and efficient fire-protection. The beams are provided with serially-positioned holes for the technical installation systems. The sloping façade to the Elbe is an aluminum pillar and bar construction with clamped glass panes. The roof is covered with aluminum sheeting. The large number of prefabricated elements enables a building at low cost.
(with Alsop & Lyall, architects)