The ferry terminal in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada is located in an important public place for the city of Halifax. This area has been subject to planning decisions that have led to its current state of reduced functionality. This project is intended to activate and restore this central, damaged urban public site through integration with the existing buildings, reconnection of the city to the waterfront, and increased amenity offered by new design and architecture. Rethinking the design of the ferry terminal and its adjacent public spaces aims to create a model for future development along the currently undeveloped Halifax waterfront.

As the research part of my thesis work, I had the opportunity to be involved in the Manhattan Ferry Terminal design undertaken by the New York City firm Schwartz Architects. Being a gateway to Manhattan, the Whitehall Ferry Terminal's psychological impact consists of elements that invoke a notion of arrival in people. An analysis of historical gateway examples from Ancient to Modern times shows their similarity with the architectural symbols used in the design. Those macro symbols of the gate are the metaphors of Edge, Destination, Gathering, Information, Flow and Lights. The analysis of macro elements led to a discovery of the micro architectural factors used in the smaller scale of the Ferry Terminal design. The analysis has provided several conclusions:1. In the design process, the architect uses a knowledge-base to choose architecturalelements that will support the symbolic message of a structure built on a specific site. 2. The number of these elements is infinite and the architect uses his or her experienceto choose the most appropriate elements that will support the intended message.3. Both overall and detailed analyses in the design process are oriented to produce thedesired impression of gateway.4. Comparison of historical examples and elements used in Whitehall Ferry Terminal design shows that impressions created by architecture are constant throughout history and always executed using contemporary technology. / Department of Architecture

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