SEAPLANE LAGOON WATER TRANSIT FERRY TERMINAL
Details
Location Alameda, CA
Year 2020
Size 1,500 square feet
Description
The project provides public transportation while creating an icon that environmentally and architecturally enhances the waterfront. The terminal benefits the community, catalyzing economic rejuvenation and ecological remediation of a former Navy site. Landside improvements include a portion of the Bay Trail, which traverses terminal property designed as part of the project. The solution—to ensure usability despite projected sea level rise—is a raised terminal floor level above the roadway with ramps and steps integrated architecturally into the design.
Materials were specified for longevity, sustainability, and aesthetics, such as a fabric roof, steel roof structure, glass wind screens, and concrete foundation, ramps, steps, and floor. The fabric roof solution was extremely economical with forms that recall ship sails. Given the coastal climate, the terminal avoids extreme temperatures. No fossil fuel conditions the building. Thirty-six electric vehicle “clean air” parking spots have wiring in place for charging stations.
Water, air, and land wildlife are factored into the design. The team includes ecosystem experts in wildlife specialties. The parking lot drains to a vegetated bioretention basin; water is pre-filtered before entering the storm drain system. The translucent roof provides soothing interior day-light. “Bird-safe” glass windscreens flaunt spectacular views while protecting endangered least tern colony.
Award
2022 Taipei Design Awards - Public Space Design - Social Innovation Award
Architecture Masterprize - Infrastructure - Honorable Mention
Team