HMC Architects was among five firms recently selected as finalists for the design of a cruise terminal and port authority for the port of Kaoshiung, an oceanic gateway city to Asia. The five finalists were chosen out of approximately 100 submissions from 23 nations. Led by HMC Architects’ Raymond Pan, Design Principal, this is the second international competition his studio has participated in within the last two years. In 2009, HMC Architects successfully won the international design competition for The First People’s Hospital in the Shunde District of Foshan, China, while teamed with the China-based Shunde Architectural Design Institute.

Sponsored by the Kaohsiung Harbor Bureau and the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Taiwan, the international design competition will support the plan for the Port of Kaohsiung Passenger Transportation District through the design and construction of the Port and Cruise Service Center. The terminal will become an iconic gateway to what will become the largest passenger and cultural arrival port in the world upon completion. The new facility will improve passenger service facilities while providing visitors with more convenient, modern, and comfortable facilities. Administrative agencies will be integrated to enhance the quality of customer service. Ultimately, the plan will promote international exchange in this growing area while boosting international and domestic tourism.

The competition runs from September through November 2010, and the winner will be announced December 10, 2010 and awarded the commission. Other shortlisted firms are the team of Fei & Cheng Associates (R.O.C.) and Reiser+Umemoto RUR Architecture, Asymptote Architecture, the team of Jet Architects and CXT Architects, and the team of Ricky Liu & Associates Architects and Takenaka Corporation. The construction budget for the project is approximately $80,000,000, and is scheduled for construction in 2012 and expected to be in operation by 2014.