Page 68 - ArchDC Fall 2018

ArchDC Fall 2018.qxp_Fall 2018 8/27/18 8:35 AM Page 66

Main entrance to Pier 4.

Photo © Alan Karchmer
StudioMB had previously been chosen by Hoffman The architects inherited an existing pier completed
to renovate and add to the historic Fish Market at the in 1951 and always intended for tourist boat excursions.
opposite end of the development. In 2015, the developers There was a historically landmarked little headhouse in
asked Bagnoli and McGraw about doing Pier 4, too. Time a colonial revival style, and a large steel canopy running
was of the essence: the main part of Phase 1 was well almost the entire 300-foot length of the pier. The pier
under construction already, and the demolition of Pier 3 itself was supported by about 1,100 wood piles with an
(part of Phase 1—it will be rebuilt in Phase 2) couldn’t elaborate interlocking system of concrete pile caps.
happen until Pier 4 was completed. StudioMB’s design Working with structural engineers Ehlert Bryan and
flew through the design review gauntlet, remarkably marine engineers Moffatt & Nichol, the architects had to
achieving approval at the first presentations to both the create a building light enough for the existing pier and
local Advisory Neighborhood Commission and the canopy to bear the additional loads. Accordingly, the
federal Commission of Fine Arts. building’s structure is steel, which is common in most

66 PEERLESS PIER