The Architectural Concept for the
Kinmen Passenger Services Terminal, designed by
Urban Office Architecture,
is that of a Gate into the city. The Building ARCHES over the Park and
lets it extend it underneath so that the City and the Sea are connected
through the Terminal building.
From the Park, citizens can see the water and Marine activities. From
the boats, passengers glimpse into the city. This creates a lively and
“porous” interaction between the Terminal Building and the larger Master
Plan. As a portal, the Building integrates into the waterfront
landscape and green spaces, rather than acting as a blocking element
between the land and the water. The underpass also proposes covered
access to the adjacent Shopping and Duty Free Building and the Hotel and
Convention center building. From the lower parking area visitors can
take escalators to the main covered piazza underneath the building or
elevators directly to the Domestic or International Wings.
The covered Piazza becomes essentially a public space, a gathering space
for visitors and citizens alike. It could for instance become an ideal
place for a Night Market or informal outdoor performing space. Access to
the Domestic and International Wings is also allowed at the ground
floor via drop off for cars, taxis and buses, as well as pedestrian
access. Each Wing is located to each side of the Central Covered Piazza,
forming a more distinct and organized flow of passengers. Arrivals are
located at the ground level for both Domestic and International wings.
Departures are located on the second level (level +12m) for both
Domestic and International wings.
Direct access to the Departures occurs via the Covered Piazza through
escalators or Elevators, or via each wing thorough elevators. The third
Main Architectural element is the Kinmen Maritime Museum and Gallery
Center. The Museum is an extension of the Terminal itself and extends as
large Volume “hovering” over the park. It contains exhibition and
gallery spaces as well as a café and an auditorium looking out to the
park. The Museum provides entertainment for the Passengers and education
about the city of Kinmen both Past and Future, via ongoing shows and
lectures/films/documentaries. Simultaneously it provides the city with a
place to visit and learn more about Maritime business and history.
The Building Design is driven by the “arching” movement of the volume
over the extended Park/Piazza, whose wave reverberates through the
exterior skin and shapes the exterior volumes and internal programmatic
requirements. The idea of duality (Left and Right, Domestic and
International Wings, Park side/Sea side, Arrivals/Departures ) is
carried through the building form as it shapes the interior spaces. In
particular the building is split by a longitudinal “spine” which
organizes a north and south section. The north areas favor the Sea side
and host the waiting areas and departures gates, the south areas host
all public functions (shopping, retail, offices) and access to the
Museum component. The longitudinal spine is created by a “Glass Canyon”,
which brings natural diffuse light to all levels of the building, yet
emphasizes the tall space of the Arrival Halls.
Conceived as an environmentally friendly building the Terminal has large
glass openings to the north side and a smaller amount of glass on the
south side. This will increase the amount of diffuse light within the
space (thus reducing lighting and cooling consumption) and limit the
amount of over heating from direct southern exposure. The Glass Canyon
and Covered Piazza also allow for natural air circulation and intense
heat and humidity dispersion, while also providing natural shade and
glare protection for arriving passengers, and providing a better energy
flow in and around the Building.
The Building program is organized into three main sections: 1) Passenger
Access Spaces 2) Waiting and Commercial Spaces 3) Cultural and
Exhibition Areas 1) The Passenger Access areas are functionally
organized over the first two levels (Ground Floor and Level +12m). The
ground floor on each side of the Central Piazza has the Arrivals, the
Second level the Departures. Ancillary cafes and retail spaces are built
around these areas to promote a culture of comfort and ease especially
for short term and direct transfer travelers. 2) On Levels 3 (+24 m), 4
(+30m), 5 (+36m) are located the VIP and long term waiting areas, which
offer passengers in transit and waiting for a few hours the comfort
necessary to enjoy their stay.
These areas include larger shopping and store areas, cafes, high end
restaurants, lounges, resting and bathing areas, exercise rooms and
business lounges. 3) Lastly, the Exhibition spaces, located within the
Museum volume extending over the park are also accessible for the
Passengers and will host several different “curated” shows. This will be
a unique opportunity for International and Foreign Passengers to learn
about the history, culture, heritage and art of Kinmen and bring this
knowledge and information to other countries and cities around the
world.
