The portal frames are first of all the structural elements. However their importance goes far beyond that - they show the tremendous space and effort needed to make those journeys happen, without forming a building that threatens to crush the old city of Lisbon. Hanging from those frames are the two gangways, which function as a 'red line', taking the tourist by the hand the second they leave the city. They start in the city, beeing the first thing you enter and do not leave you until you are aboard your ship.
On your way you pass the five corten boxes. They house - in that order - elevator, lobby, check-in, lounge, (ship), baggage claim, taxes, lobby, elevator. This part is consciously constructed in a way that the day the cruiseships leave Lisbon for the last time, they can be dismounted to make space for a new use und the persistent frames. Whoever visited Portugal understands how important it is to make such a statement, to be ready for the future, even when the ships are gone.
Lisbon is a city more and more dependant on tourism. As part of this development, this design proposes to construct a new part in the harbor, to allow cruiseships to make port in the city.
The building consists of three elements.
- 39 portal frames, which form the dominant structure
- 5 corten steel boxes, housing the individual steps you have to pass in order to board the ship
- 2 gangways leading, connecting the city, the boxes and the ship