For the new cruise terminal of Limassol, the challenge was to design a landmark building within the busy port environment surrounded by the large scale cruise & container ships. The building program focused on organizing the logistics of passengers and their baggage together with the control procedures for entry and exit to the island of Cyprus. Beyond this we aimed to create a ‘poetic vessel’ between the land and the sea quite different from the terminal stereotype. Our response for the competition was based on the 'distillation' of the requirements for the brief into 7 clear parts.
Through simplifying the operational issues we were given the freedom to create 7 open sided elliptical and conical volumes in an organic arrangement that stretches along the pier. These shells have an exterior cladding of titanium zinc which create a ‘fifth’ facade when looked down upon from the decks of the cruise ships. Their dark ribbed exterior forms are contrasted by the whitewashed timber boards that line the interiors. Together with the reflective floor these spaces respond to the light from the harbor during dawn and dusk- the times for arrival & departure - providing a changing sky-colored ‘vessel’ for the passengers to pause between land & sea before they set sail.
Flexibility of the passenger compartment was designed so that it can be used when the cruise station is out of operation. Multiple uses have already been accommodated from weddings to conferences- significantly extending the season and providing a platform for the integration of the building into the life of the city of Limassol itself. Finally we designed a sky-bar & viewing platform on the roof for the general public allowing a panoramic overview of the working operations of the Limassol harbor and the hectic daily operations that supply the island.
Project Team irwinkritioti architecture Margarita Kritioti Richard Irwin George Marcou Tony Maslic Constantinos Costantinou Structural Engineers Nicos Kalathas George Dimitriades Mechanical & Electrical Engneers Tasos Stasis Kyriakos Zinieris Quantity Surveyor Guido Kapiris John Vrahimis