Tower 3, Kattendijkdok ANTWERP
Antwerp has been one of the most important trading ports in Europe since the Middle Ages. Kattendijkdok was built in the mid-nineteenth century, and marked the starting point for the large-scale extension of Antwerp’s harbour. The area is characterised by a mix of large warehouses and small-scale residential buildings. With the majority of the port’s functions now housed in the larger docks to the north, a masterplan was developed in 2002 to bring new life to the area.
The plan upgrades the harbour area with the addition of residential and cultural buildings as well as public esplanades, which create a link to the historic city centre. Within this context, six residential towers were planned along the western edge of the dock. The towers are all 15 storeys high, accommodating apartments of various sizes, as well as retail at ground floor level.
David Chipperfield Architects Berlin was appointed to design the two central towers, Tower 3 and 4. Both have a structural presence and uniform materiality, though each tower differs in articulation. Tower 3 to the south is given a horizontal emphasis by stacked projecting floor plates, while Tower 4 is more regular in appearance with straight façades on all sides. The stretched proportions of the ground and uppermost floors establish a hierarchy of base, shaft and crown for each tower.
At ground level, the footprints of the buildings step back to create porticos along the eastern and southern edges respectively. These porticos lead to entrance lobbies clad in walnut. The projecting floor slabs of Tower 3 create balconies on all sides, extending the living areas, while the Tower 4 apartments have loggias situated at the corners of the building. All the apartments have views across the city, the harbour and the River Schelde.
Initial concept:2001 – 2002
Project start:2008 (Tower 3), 2012 (Tower 4)
Completion:2015 (Tower 3), 2016 (Tower 4)
Gross floor area:8,800 m² (Tower 3), 5,600 m² (Tower 4)
Client:Kattendijkdok NV
Architect:David Chipperfield Architects Berlin
Antwerp has been one of the most important trading cities in Europe since the Middle Ages. Kattendijkdok was built in the mid-19th century between the northern historic city center and the harbor, and marked the starting point for the extension of Antwerp harbor into one of the largest industrial ports in Europe. The quay areas of Kattendijkdok are characterized by derelict areas and a mix of large warehouses and small-scale residential buildings. A master plan was developed to bring new life to the area. The plan links the harbor area to the historic city center through residential and cultural buildings, as well as public riverbank esplanades. Within this context, six residential towers are planned along the western quay of Kattendijkdok.
David Chipperfield Architects were appointed to design Tower 3, a 15-story residential building with public functions on the ground floor. The tower is shaped by its structural elements through a tectonic stacking of the floor slabs and wall elements. These elements are crafted from precast concrete units, refined with white stone aggregate. The floor slabs project from the façade, creating generous balconies on all sides. The alternation between the concrete wall slabs and large-scale glazing gives rhythm to the façade.
The floor plans are arranged in ringed zones. The secondary functions are located around the inner circulation core, while the living and sleeping areas are oriented to the outside. All apartments, regardless of size, have floor-to-ceiling windows. The outer zone is formed by the projecting floor slabs, creating the balconies which provide views in all directions over the harbor and the city.