This 5,000 square-feet floating terminal is the first new building in the highly regulated Victoria Inner Harbour in 30 years and is the centerpiece of the harbour and city.
The two-storey building was brought in by tugboat after a 90 kilometre journey from Bamberton where it was constructed. The building’s glass and wood structure captures the flavour of West Coast modern architecture. Its sloping profile and green-roof is planted with hardy, colourful plants to enhance the sightlines in the harbour. Concrete floors, paneled fir ceiling with laminated wood beams and exposed air ducts give the building’s interior an industrial and West Coast vibe, while the huge windows provide amazing views of the harbour and the city.
The new terminal boasts many environmental and sustainable features including regionally made and manufactured core products, high efficiency heat pump systems, green roof and solar panels. Other important benefits of this project include a reduction in noise pollution by establishing operations further away from the downtown core, improved viewing and sightlines of the Inner Harbour and reduced taxiing time for seaplanes, which reduces exhaust volumes and fuel consumption costs.