Sentinel by the Sea: Zaha Hadid Architects’ Salerno Maritime Terminal Opens in Italy

The world was shocked last month by the untimely death of Zaha Hadid, one of the best-known and most highly regarded architects in the world. At the time of her death, her storied firm, Zaha Hadid Architects, had 36 ongoing projects in various stages of production. While Hadid may have left us, her work continues to unfold and no doubt holds surprises for us in the months and years to come.

The first Zaha Hadid Architects building to open to the public since the passing of the firm’s founder is a maritime terminal in the port city of Salerno in Southern Italy. Called simply the Salerno Maritime Terminal, this gem of a building will increase the port’s capacity tremendously, allowing over 500,000 more passengers per year to enter the city via ferries and cruise ships. This will be a boon to the local economy, creating jobs and increasing the revenue of local businesses.

The building’s design is characteristically Hadid. The supple, organic lines are said to evoke the shape of an oyster. Concrete was chosen to protect people from the sun, which can become very hot in Salerno, especially near the water.

Inside, the layout is simple and functional, including both administrative offices and terminals where passengers can wait for ferries and cruise ships to arrive. The program also includes terraces where visitors can take in views of the Mediterranean. At night, the building is magnificently illuminated, allowing it to function as an unconventional lighthouse.

“The new terminal operates, both functionally and visually, as a smooth transition between land and sea,” explained the architects, “a coastal land formation that mediates between solid and liquid.”

The Salerno Maritime Terminal was constructed as part of a larger invigoration project for the city. If you happen to be in Italy this summer, Salerno is certainly worth a visit. The views of the Mediterranean offered by this new terminal are said to be truly magnificent.

All photos courtesy of Zaha Hadid Architects