VUE

In the world of design, there's an ongoing debate of whether architecture, at its essence, is considered art. To some, the answer to this question is simple, as many of us view anything involving self-expression as art. For others, they recognize that architects themselves, while in charge of a project's inception and aesthetic, aren't the ones who actually control the form of the built environment. But whatever our views, the wise words of Winston Churchill seem to stand the test of time: "We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us." And as the face of modern architecture grows each year—from sustainable building materials and imaginative designs, to cutting-edge technology and mesmerizing shapes— every new structure is more impressive than its predecessors. The projects featured here are representational of the most exotic geometries and forward- thinkers in architecture today. Perhaps the biggest statement in the world of architecture and design is Zaha Hadid's Antwerp Port House. The new structure repurposes a deserted fire station into a new HQ for the port community. Completed in 2016, the Port House no doubt puts Antwerp Port Authority near the top of the world's best designs. Its unique geometry is a symbol of the innovative characteristics of the Port of Antwerp. The structure itself, which is over 13 stories tall, houses 500 employees and serves as a point of contact for the many international contacts of the Antwerp port. Similar to the shape of a bow of a ship, the Port House's glassed surface glistens and ripples, reflecting the colors of the water and sky that surround it. A L O O K A T T O D A Y ' S M O D E R N A R C H I T E C T U R E B Y M I C H A E L S C I V O L I A N T W E R P P O R T H O U S E L O C A T I O N : A N T W E R P, B E L G I U M A R C H I T E C T : Z A H A H A D I D A R C H I T E C T S S C A L E : 2 2 0 , 0 0 0 S Q U A R E F E E T P H O T O B Y H E L E N E B I N E T V U E N J . C O M 80 VUE ON DESIGN & REAL ESTATE

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