Engineering Antwerp Port House | The B1M

[@Scronnoc]

A staggering achievement by both client and architect! BRAVO!

[@Ekam-Sat]

I am from the city of Antwerp where a discordant symphony between past and present architectural paradigms seems to be unfolding, threatening to overshadow the timeless beauty that has graced these cobbled streets for centuries. The fervent amalgamation of contemporary aesthetics with the classical edifices of yore is causing ripples of concern among aficionados of architectural integrity. A poignant example of this trend can be found in Zaha Hadid's audacious Dubai-ish intervention at the Port House (Havenhuis). Here, a strikingly unique contemporary structure has been grafted onto an exquisite classical building, creating an unsettling juxtaposition that is the stuff of dystopian nightmares. While the audacity of Hadid's vision is undeniable, one cannot help but wonder if the classical beauty of the original edifice has been overshadowed by its brash and assertive modern counterpart. The question arises, should these two architectural epochs not have been allowed the autonomy to exist independently, harmonizing in their own separate spheres, rather than clashing in discordant conversation? In my opinion; Zaha Hadid's building should never have been allowed to be built unless it was given its own unique place. Similarly, "Het Steen," that venerable sentinel guarding the riverbanks of Antwerp, found itself in the throes of transformation, driven by the insatiable appetite of the cruise ship industry. In the quest for expansion, the city commissioned an architect to craft an appendage that is unequivocally contemporary in its monotone manifestation. Yet, it strikes a discordant chord with the venerable structure it seeks to complement. It is a lamentable manifestation of an architect who appears to have ignored the solemn duty of respecting the legacy of those who have crafted the architectural tapestry of this city before him. In this era where innovation and progress often eclipse the reverence for history and heritage, it is incumbent upon city planners across the globe to pause, reflect, and perhaps rediscover the enduring allure of classical architecture. At the very least, they must be mindful of the delicate balance between honoring the past and embracing the future. Let Antwerp's quandary serve as a poignant reminder that in the realm of architecture, as in life itself, there is an inherent beauty in the symphony of continuity and change, where echoes of the past gracefully resonate in the present.

[@saladspinner3200]

Well, despite it being well formulated, it's just your opinion.

[@rikeep]

I visited Antwerp this week and made a point of visiting Havenhuis. It's an incredible building, I loved the mix of the old and new. Great video!

[@philrabe910]

After every documentary on one of her buildings, I am further saddened by her untimely passing. I have this feeling she was Just getting warmed up!

[@TheB1M]

We completely agree.

[@Sport4Life]

So true. She was out of this world talented

[@beyondcompute]

I am not sure if I would call it “beautiful” but it definitely commands respect by the degree of its creativity. And overall it is a captivating sight. And the interior appears to be as always stunning and futuristic as in other Ms Hadid’s projects.

I live around the corner of this amazing building and it looks beautiful, especially at night!

[@voetbal12]

Beautiful integration of old and new.

[@TheB1M]

We agree!

[@DirectorBird]

I don't agree.

[@javierpacheco8234]

Nah it looks way off.

[@rr7firefly]

The animation in the construction phase shows a beautiful additive process. I would have loved to have had the internal structure unhidden by the multi-faceted glazing.

[@michaelp8373]

Fantastic videos, for a "grounded nomad" in the Midwest of the U.S. the B1M videos are a treat.

[@TheB1M]

You’re welcome! Thanks for the great feedback! 👍🙏

[@ivanmaldonadocampos3092]

A master piece

[@nanettehayakawa7628]

I would like so much to see this building ! She was an incredible woman in her profession and visited Columbus Ohio once before she died...what a loss.

[@benbeasant3443]

A building that perfectly fits into its environment. Love how it looks like a ship. So innovative.

[@DirectorBird]

How?

[@rr7firefly]

That gigantic "ax blade" component atop the two supporting towers was a lot more interesting when it was under construction than it is after the installation of its undulating glass surface. Its appearance between 1:38 and 1:50 in the video is much more appealing than with those triangular glass panels. I would have liked it far more if those four horizontal slices had been expressly delineated on the building's exterior. The articulation of the areas between the wedge and the original historic building is commendable.

[@sergioparola1411]

ASTONISHING !!!!

[@FurbabyAki]

One of her great works before she died... 😻

[@guycore5478]

When your glasses are worn at a bold angle to reference the subject of your video.

[@Dillyvl]

i was there to install one of those upper floors. nice project.

[@bghbelvideo]

A city needs architectural landmarks and this clearly is one.

[@maunster3414]

That's not a building guys! That's an alien ship eating an antique building! Run!

[@davetv4705]

This is an amazing project!

[@brandbryce]

wow!

[@terrendously]

Original architect rolling in his grave.

[@x1achilles99]

ns90: That's the point. Controversial architecture is good for business.

[@sinnerseekingsalvation779]

Yep...

[@raykenley]

like so many branded state-of-the-art mordern buildings in the past,especially those built in the 70s ,10 years later this will be another eyesore.

[@ZR4319]

If you think this monstrosity is beatiful you're absolutely wrong, that is an insult to the historic building, looks absolute disgusting

[@MICHALMALACHOVSKY]

WOW WOW WOW !!!

[@iansladetullis]

Portland Oregon called. They want their lumberjack beard back.

[@prashantkarnik9302]

Super

[@brianwillaman1776]

I can't wait for the Grizzly Adams beard trend to go away.

[@stevethaysen4423]

Is nobody else gonna comment that the building is built in the shape of a ship! Becoz is next to the port!

[@DirectorBird]

I hate when architects do this. Stop mixing stuff. It destroys the identity of the original building.

[@marshallbananas9383]

The dislikes comes from the engineers who works overtime

[@robincabooterlaeremans]

nah they ruined the beatifull old firestation

[@sinnerseekingsalvation779]

That poor, beautiful building below. Hopefully they will not demolish the whole thing once the addition ceases to be fashionable-but I don’t see how they will remove the new without damaging the old.

[@dimitristsekeris1821]

They can definitely take it apart carefully. Besides, a building isn't just demolished so easily when it isn't "fashionable" anymore. Also, it would be a massive mistake to demolish the old building and leave the new one behind, cause then the new building levitating above the ground would be pointless.

[@vincitomniaveritas3981]

Bastard of architecture. An attack on the beautiful building now below that structure, yet hailed as something great in the media. Reminds me of a particular time not so long ago..

[@dannym7255]

This is the most bizarre building I have ever seen. Something must be profoundly wrong with all the people who have anything to do with this.

[@hishamalqubbanchy5332]

Zuha hadid She is from Iraq 🇮🇶

[@morganrichards7220]

Both incredibly ugly and a deliberate attack on the original building.

[@pluto1655]

morgan richards im afraid i will disagree sir for good measure

[@mrmsmcgill]

A monument to ego in the era of narcissism.

[@mariushagelskjr5452]

it's kinda funny looking and interesting but post modern stuff like this is in my opinon not architechurally pleasing at all

[@kellyjensen9425]

I guess it's good ugly projects (to me) like this exist. I'd hate to live in a world where committees are so safe nothing amazing gets built. So I applaud them for having the guts to do it. For me I think they missed the mark as this doesn't do what projects like the Louvre Pyramid does. It looks almost like a mechanized insect of gigantic proportions mating with the wrong object. I will say if I was there in person I would probably stand and stare at this for a long time. The entire piece strikes a chord at a high volume but in a strange enharmonic way. I think they should have cantilevered a square object that appears to hover directly over the top of that building. The hovering Square as a pedestal that seamlessly converts to something like a lotus flower. The whole thing of the same material. Bridge the Two Worlds, old and new with repeating shape. A nod to the future with the stunning hovering architecture above the old.

[@dimitristsekeris1821]

In my opinion, the Louvre Pyramid is understandably controversial cause it is placed symmetrically in front of the Louvre's facade and, not being as transparent as one would hope, it obscures the Louvre. The Antwerp Port Authority Building is quite wisely elevated above the old building leaving all facades intact, with the only exception of its front column. This way it looks more like an addition that is dependent on the old building like a parasite rather than a grandiose monument that crashes in front of the old building to antagonise it.

[@mrfleming5445]

This has to be the worst integration of architecture I've ever seen. Most be smoking some good trees up there

[@tangatoto362]

Sorry but I think it’s a hideous visual insult to the lovely old building below....but I am not an architect....just a NORMAL person 😎

[@RichardLightburn]

It's a duck!

[@MrSvenovitch]

It looks like the Titanic on the ocean floor. You think this is a good idea and beautiful?! You of course also think that beard is aesthetic....

[@machoke666]

Why is modern architecture so disgusting? This building makes me never want to visit Antwerpen

[@stanvandenbroeck9006]

Lucky for us

[@garfieldt]

Plenty of other things to see there.

[@shortw00d81]

A lot more to see here... but with blinders like that, I guess it's best to stay at home.

[@deanseawa]

Loose the beard.

[@x1achilles99]

DDD BBB: Just trim and groom it. Good looking young man with a way too bushy beard.

[@shivangshah098]

yaaaa

[@funtosee1]

LOSE not loose. Always remember - lose the extra O for lose. Loose rhymes with moose:)

[@mabling237]

this guys beard is no good

[@conversacionesconmipadre]

This is the ugliest and most offensive constructions ever. There are no words to express its hideous design. The heritage building was completely buried under this incredible piece of shit. Thank god the architect, Yoda's sister, is dead.

[@HeSo_71]

you just mad bcuz the architect is arabic.

[@Maloy7800]

Top 5 Most tragic attempts to get girls by becoming a hipster: 1. Tom Payne 2. Tom Payne 3. Tom Payne 4. Tom Payne And finally, No.1... TOM PAYNE! GOOD GAWD, man! It's not that fine a line between hip and hobo.

[@pandarosamusic5751]

You must feel fantastic, putting someone down like that. Did you enjoy high school? were you bullied or were you a bully? In short - go fuck yourself.

[@quentinbean348]

Its so god dam ugly