Kaohsiung, Taiwan—A cruise ship terminal and port service center in Taiwan, the Kaohsiung Port Terminal’s dynamic, three-dimensional urbanism takes advantage of the site’s unique lateral positioning with respect to the city grid. Existing public pedestrian flows are amplified, rather than interrupted, by creating a continuous, elevated public esplanade along the waterfront. Cruise and ferry functions, meanwhile, are located just below the public level and are kept distinct to maintain secure areas for departing and arriving passengers.

The terminal is partitioned into three lobes, each related to a different itinerary for travelling by ship, while the concourses are oriented parallel to the waterfront to maximize the interface between water and land. By vertically separating the functions of the general public, port business, and travelers along this waterfront edge, the various operational uses are kept highly efficient while allowing for a synergy of mixed functions for the general public. Vertical circulation is organized around thickened zones in the building’s skin which also house structure, utilities, and ventilation. The structure is a system of nested, long-span shells, which are composed of an underlying steel pipe space frame which is sandwiched by cladding panels to create a usable cavity space. Overall, an experience of directed yet functionally separated flows lends an aura of energy to the point terminal space.

Best In Competition, AIANY Design Awards 2025

First Prize, International Competition

Progressive Architecture Award, Architect Magazine

Principals: Jesse Reiser + Nanako Umemoto

Design Team: Neil Cook, Michael Overby, Juan De Marco, Jasmine Lee, Kris Hedges, Eleftheria Xanthouli, John Murphy, Joy Wang, Hilary Simon, Massimilano Orzi, Toshiki Hirano, Ryosuke Imaeda, Xian Lai, Emily Cass, Sonia Flamberg, Fan Wu, Xian Lai, Ana Morris, Sylvia Lee, Devin Jernigan, Michal Golinski, Leigh Jester, Libby Dierker, Sonya Chao, Ana Untiveros-Ferrel, Erin Kelly, Robert Cha, Alan Kwan

Structural Engineer: Ysrael A. Seinuk, PC (Schematic Design); Supertech Consultants International

Mechanical Consultant: IsLin & Associates Consulting

Port Planning and Logistics: ARUP Hong Kong

Facade Consultant: Meinhardt Facade Technology, Hong Kong

Architect of Record: Fei and Cheng and Associates

Photography: Iwan Baan