The Salerno Maritime Terminal, the first building designed by Zaha Hadid completed after the British-Iraqi architect passed away on March 31, 2016, was inaugurated on April 25 by the Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi.

Begun by Mayor Vincenzo De Luca, now Governor of the Campania Region, and continued under the city’s current Mayor Vincenzo Napoli, the 1993 plan for Salerno targeted the development of essential projects and programs for the social, economic and environmental regeneration of the city. As part of the 1993 plan, Zaha Hadid Architects won the international competition in 2000 to design the new terminal.

Architecture

Located on the public quay that extends into Salerno’s working harbor and marina, the new maritime terminal continues the city’s relationship with the sea and establishes new links; connecting Salerno’s rich maritime traditions with its historic urban fabric and beyond to the hills that frame the city.

Like an oyster, the terminal’s hard, asymmetric shell protects the softer elements within; sheltering passengers from the intense Mediterranean sun during the popular tourist season.

The new maritime terminal is composed of three primary interlocking components: administration offices for national border controls and shipping lines; the terminal for international ferries and cruise ships from around the world; and the terminal for the local and regional ferries.

Salerno Maritime Terminal by Zaha Hadid Architects, cross-section

The quayside gently rises as passengers approach the terminal from the city, indicating the gradually sloping path of ramps within the building which raise passengers to the embarking level of large ships and ferries. The terminal’s interior arrangement orientates and leads passengers through a sequence of interior spaces that flow into each other and are organized around focal points such as the restaurant and the waiting lounge.

Local and regional ferry commuters move through the terminal quickly, arriving on ground level and ascending via ramps to reach the upper and vessel entrance. Passengers travelling on international ferries and cruise ships are guided seamlessly through check-in, passport, security and customs controls to their ship. Arriving passengers follow a similar progression through the terminal with the inclusion of the luggage reclaim area.

At night, the glow of the terminal near the harbour entrance will act as a lighthouse to the port, welcoming visitors to the city.

Salerno Maritime Terminal by Zaha Hadid Architects, North-East and South-West elevations

Salerno Maritime Terminal by Zaha Hadid Architects, floor plans

Relationship with city and landscape

The new terminal operates, both functionally and visually, as a smooth transition between land and sea; a coastal land formation that mediates between solid and liquid. From its terraces and windows, the terminal offers spectacular views of the Amalfi Coast, the Gulf of Salerno and the Cilento. Positano, Capri, Paestum and Pompei are also nearby. The new terminal will greatly improve the accessibility and experience for visitors to the region’s renowned cultural attractions, coastline and countryside.

The new Salerno Maritime Terminal will enable the port of Salerno to increase arrivals of ferry and cruise ships by 500,000 additional passengers each year, which would create up to 2,000 new jobs in the city’s hospitality, services and retail sectors.

During his visit to the new terminal, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi paid tribute to Zaha Hadid.

“This extraordinary work adds to everything Salerno is doing to transform itself and I think it is marvellous,” Renzi said. “It is also a way of remembering the great architect that Zaha Hadid was.” (Matteo Renzi)

All photos by Helene Binet, courtesy of Zaha Hadid Architects

Original text by Zaha Hadid Architects