Kyrenia Marina Interface

Project idea

The first memory of a place is often formed before arrival. Rooted in the experience of approaching Cyprus from the sea, the project transforms the act of disembarkation into a ceremonial journey. Through a carefully choreographed sequence of movement, perception, and revelation, visitors are guided toward a framed encounter with Bellapais Abbey and the Besparmak Mountains, allowing the identity of Cyprus to be experienced before it is entered. The project reimagines the maritime gateway not merely as infrastructure, but as an architecture of arrival.

Project description

Located on a neglected and underutilized stretch of Kyrenia's waterfront, the proposal seeks to transform an area characterized by limited accessibility into a new maritime gateway for Cyprus. By introducing an international ferry terminal, the project elevates the strategic value of the site, shifting it from a peripheral coastal zone to a primary point of arrival and a new urban destination. To preserve the waterfront for public use, the controlled port functions are embedded within the lower levels of the project, while the upper level is dedicated to public life. Plazas, promenades, terraces, cafés, shops, and community-oriented spaces create an active marina landscape that reconnects the city with the sea and offers both residents and visitors a vibrant waterfront experience.

Technical information

The project is organized through a clear distinction between controlled and non-controlled spaces. Customs, passenger processing, luggage handling, boarding facilities, and other operational functions are integrated within the lower levels, ensuring efficient port operations while minimizing their impact on the public realm. A system of ramps choreographs movement throughout the building, guiding departing passengers downward toward the maritime threshold and arriving passengers upward toward a carefully framed view of Bellapais Abbey and the Besparmak Mountains. Continuous visual connections between levels reinforce orientation, maintain awareness of the journey, and extend the ceremonial experience of arrival and departure throughout the building. A hybrid structure combining folded plate ,3D trusses and a steel frame substructure enables large-span spaces and supports the architectural form. A raft and pile foundation system ensures stability in the coastal site conditions.