Copyright theage
The important Port of Antwerp-Bruges – it’s Europe’s second-largest – is home to the Port House, a stunning civic building by the late, great Iraqi-British architect, Zaha Hadid. Tasked – after an international design competition – with repurposing a derelict fire station, Zaha Hadid Architects renovated the historic structure but left it freestanding, adding an imposing multi-faceted glass form that seemingly hovers UFO-like over it. Referencing Antwerp’s long and ongoing history with diamonds, the jewel-like upper of the port authority HQ reflects and changes with the weather and time of day. Tours are available. See portofantwerpbruges.com 3 See the Sydney Opera House’s Belgian little sister Justitiepaleis Antwerpen, or Antwerp Palace of Justice, has a structure reminiscent of Jorn Utzon’s iconic Sydney landmark. Eight civil and criminal courts and other facilities sit under a roof characterised by Utzon-esque sails made of steel, conceived to let in light and ventilation, and to represent ships passing by on the River Scheldt. Nicknamed “the butterfly palace”, it was designed by the studio of Richard Rogers, of Paris Pompidou Centre fame, and opened in 2006.
