Port of New Orleans

A 75,000 square foot headquarters facility on the Mississippi riverfront was planned and designed by Waggonner and Ball for the Port of New Orleans. In addition to a new riverfront park, the project incorporates a 200-seat auditorium and office space for the Port’s 180 person staff. Clad in brick on its west side facing the city, the building emulates the masonry detailing and construction of the buildings comprising New Orleans' 19th century warehouse district. On the Mississippi River side the building transforms into larger masses clad in stone and glass, more the scale of the ships and barges constantly moving up and down the river. A magnificent and striking triptych by local artist John Scott depicting the history of the Mississippi River enlivens and activates the public lobby. Given its siting on the river's edge, straddling the box levee and a concrete wharf constructed in the 1950’s, the building required an innovative foundation system comprised of concrete piles and precast post-tensioned floor planks in order to minimize loads on the levee bank. The $10 million project completed in May, 1996 received an Honor Award from the AIA New Orleans in 1996 and from AIA Louisiana in 1997.

Awards

1996, Honor Award, AIA New Orleans
1997, Honor Award, AIA Louisiana
1997, “Best of New Local Architecture”, New Orleans Magazine

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