Zaha Hadid Architects Unveils Innovative Design for Ropax Ferry Terminal in Riga, Latvia
Ropax Ferry Terminal
Location: Riga, LatviaDate: 2024Client: Riga Port Agency, SIAStatus: Detail DesignSize: 20,000m²
Repurposing an existing shipping warehouse constructed in 1960 into a cutting-edge 20,000 sq. m ferry and cruise ship terminal, Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) presents a design that adds a fourth level to the structure, integrating public terraces offering panoramic views of the Daugava River and Riga’s city center skyline, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Embracing the orthogonal geometries of the existing building, the new terminal harmonizes the 64-year-old reinforced concrete structure with locally sourced timber from certified sustainable forests. Engineered to enhance passenger circulation with distinct arrival and departure routes, the terminal effectively doubles the capacity and operational efficiency of the current port.
Highlighting a triple-height grand hall for arriving and departing passengers, extensive glazing fills the interior with natural light while offering captivating river views. Vertical external fins, crafted from locally recycled bricks, serve as solar shading, tailored to address varying sunlight conditions and provide diverse degrees of daylight permeation on each façade.
Positioned to anchor Riga’s anticipated waterfront expansion and serving as a multi-modal transport nexus for the city, the new terminal seamlessly integrates ferry and cruise ship facilities with Riga’s tram and bus networks, as well as taxis, tourist buses, and public bicycles. The expansive roof canopy extends beyond the building envelope to shelter visitors utilizing the terminal’s terrace cafes, restaurants, and public transport concourses.
Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA)Design: Patrik SchumacherZHA Project Directors: Gianluca Racana, Ludovico LombardiZHA Associates: Davide del Giudice, Alejandro Diaz FernandezZHA Team: Jose Eduardo Navarrete Deza, Maria Lagging, Luca Melchiori, Szu-An Yao, Zrinka RadicLocal Architect: Sarma Norde Architects: Jānis Norde, Mārtiņš Rikards, Nils Saprovskis, Gunda KrūmiņaTransport Consultant: Sweco Finland: Mikko SuhonenLandscape Architect: Alps Landscape Architect: Ilze Rukšāne, Indra Ozolina, Marc Geldof, Abdallah Omara, Egita FabianeUrban Design Consultant: Sweco Finland: Rysä Timo, Lasse Rajala, Robert Luther, Hanna Suomi
Honoring the rich history and traditions of Latvian pottery, the terminal’s roof incorporates ceramic tiles produced in the region alongside photovoltaic panels. The gentle curvature of the roof, coupled with its ceramic tiles, reflects the fluidity of the adjacent Daugava River.
Transforming a current storage yard for shipping containers, the terminal’s masterplan envisages a welcoming civic plaza facing the city and a new landscaped riverside walkway, offering Riga’s residents and visitors various waterfront gardens and plazas for leisure and relaxation.
Planned for the southern part of Exportosta, the new Riga Ropax Terminal will function as one of the city’s primary transport hubs, while also offering high-quality civic, leisure, and commercial amenities. Aspiring to become a home port for cruise ships, the terminal will feature additional infrastructure for cruise ship servicing, with the potential of a cruise line home port integrating restaurants and cafes accessible to local residents, reducing sound and air pollution in the city center while ensuring safe movement.
Collaborating with prominent Latvian practices Sarma Norde Architects and Alps Landscape Architects, alongside Sweco Finland, ZHA combines its global experience in delivering vital transport infrastructure with the team’s profound local understanding of the site’s social, economic, and cultural significance.
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