Salerno Maritime Terminal
Having announced their intentions to continue in the wake of their founder's death, Zaha Hadid Architects' maritime terminal in Salerno, Italy, was inaugurated on 25 April 2016.
Described by the studio as 'oyster-like', the terminal is located on the public quay that extends into Salerno's working harbour and marina. The design operates, both functionally and visually, as a smooth transition from land to sea, mediating between solid and liquid.
According to the studio, '...the terminal's hard, asymmetric shell protects the softer elements within; sheltering passengers from the intense Mediterranean sun during the popular tourist season.'
Approaching the terminal from the city, the quayside gently rises in harmony with a gradually-sloping path of ramps within the building that take passengers to the embarking level. The interior arrangement of the terminal is made up of a sequence of spaces that flow into each other, organised around focal points such as the restaurant and waiting lounge.
The terminal consists of three interlocking components:
- Administration offices for national border controls and shipping lines.
- A terminal for international ferries and cruise ships.
- A terminal for local and regional ferries.
The new terminal is part of the city's long-term urban plan. Zaha Hadid Architects were awarded the commission in 2000, and it is expected the new terminal will increase ferry and cruise ship traffic by 500,000 passengers a year, and will create up to 2,000 new jobs in the city's hospitality, services and retail sectors.
During his visit to the new terminal, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi paid tribute to Zaha Hadid, saying, “This extraordinary work adds to everything Salerno is doing to transform itself and I think it is marvelous. It is also a way of remembering the great architect that Zaha Hadid was.”
Images by Helene Binet.
Images and content courtesy of Zaha Hadid Architects
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki:
- 600 Collins Street, Melbourne.
- D'Leedon, Singapore.
- Development House, Shoreditch.
- Hertsmere House project.
- Kaohsiung Station, Taiwan.
- Kaplan North Masterplan Complex.
- Masaryk Railway Station regeneration.
- Nexus.
- Port House, Antwerp.
- The Mile.
- Unusual building design of the week.
- Vienna Central Station.
- Vista Tower, Chicago.
- Zaha Hadid.
Featured articles and news
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help the homebuilding sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.
Planning reform: draft NPPF and industry responses.
Last chance to comment on proposed changes to the NPPF.
A Regency palace of colour and sensation. Book review.
Delayed, derailed and devalued
How the UK’s planning crisis is undermining British manufacturing.
How much does it cost to build a house?
A brief run down of key considerations from a London based practice.
The need for a National construction careers campaign
Highlighted by CIOB to cut unemployment, reduce skills gap and deliver on housing and infrastructure ambitions.
AI-Driven automation; reducing time, enhancing compliance
Sustainability; not just compliance but rethinking design, material selection, and the supply chains to support them.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation In the Built Environment
New CIOB Technical Information Sheet by Colin Booth, Professor of Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure.
Turning Enquiries into Profitable Construction Projects
Founder of Develop Coaching and author of Building Your Future; Greg Wilkes shares his insights.
IHBC Signpost: Poetry from concrete
Scotland’s fascinating historic concrete and brutalist architecture with the Engine Shed.
Demonstrating that apprenticeships work for business, people and Scotland’s economy.
Scottish parents prioritise construction and apprenticeships
CIOB data released for Scottish Apprenticeship Week shows construction as top potential career path.
From a Green to a White Paper and the proposal of a General Safety Requirement for construction products.
Creativity, conservation and craft at Barley Studio. Book review.
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherited assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.