Salerno Maritime Terminal

Like an asymmetric shell, the new maritime terminal designed by Zaha Hadid Architects in Italy is a tribute to the city’s relationship with the sea and its historic urban fabric.

Located on the public quay that extends into Salerno’s working harbor and marina, the new maritime terminal designed by Zaha Hadid Architects continues the city’s relationship with the sea and connects Salerno’s rich maritime traditions with its historic urban fabric.
Zaha Hadid Architects, Maritime Terminal, Salerno
Zaha Hadid Architects, Maritime Terminal, Salerno

The new maritime terminal is composed of three primary interlocking components: administration offices for national border controls and shipping lines; the terminal for international ferries and cruise ships from around the world; and the terminal for the local and regional ferries. Like an oyster, the terminal’s hard, asymmetric shell protects the softer elements within; sheltering passengers from the intense Mediterranean sun during the popular tourist season. The new terminal operates, both functionally and visually, as a smooth transition between land and sea; a coastal land formation that mediates between solid and liquid. From its terraces and windows, the terminal offers spectacular views of the Amalfi Coast, the Gulf of Salerno and the Cilento. Positano, Capri, Paestum and Pompei are also nearby.

Zaha Hadid Architects, Maritime Terminal, Salerno
Zaha Hadid Architects, Maritime Terminal, Salerno

The quayside gently rises as passengers approach the terminal from the city, indicating the gradually sloping path of ramps within the building which raise passengers to the embarking level of large ships and ferries. The terminal’s interior arrangement orientates and leads passengers through a sequence of interior spaces that flow into each other and are organized around focal points such as the restaurant and the waiting lounge. Local and regional ferry commuters move through the terminal quickly, arriving on ground level and ascending via ramps to reach the upper and vessel entrance. Passengers travelling on international ferries and cruise ships are guided seamlessly through check-in, passport, security and customs controls to their ship.


Salerno Maritime Terminal, Palermo, Italy
Program: Maritime terminal for local, regional and international ferries, and cruise liners from around the world
Architects: Zaha Hadid Architects; Paola Cattarin (ZHA Project Architec), Vincenzo Barilari, Andrea Parenti, Anja Simons, Giovanna Sylos Labini, Cedric Libert, Filippo Innocenti, Paolo Zilli, Lorenzo Grifantini, Electra Mikelides, Eric Tong (ZHA Design Team), Paola Cattarin, Sonia Villaseca, Christos Passas, Chris Dopheide (ZHA Competition Team)
Client: Comune di Salerno
Main contractor: Passarelli SpA
Structural engineer: Ingeco, Ove Arup & Partners
M&E Engineers: Macchiaroli and Partners, Itaca srl, Ove Arup & Partners
Maritime/Transport Engineering: Ove Arup & Partners
Lighting: Equation Lighting Design
Site area: 4,600 sqm
Floor area: 4,500 sqm
Completion: 2016

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