Richmond’s new ferry terminal provides crucial, fast transportation from the East Bay to San Francisco. Designed to be an iconic element, it is architecturally contemporary while compatible with the neighboring historic Ford Assembly Building. The building provides passengers panoramic Bay views, as well as protection from wind and rain.

The jury admired this well-tuned, scale defying addition to the Richmond waterfront. As ferries become a more essential part of our transportation network, gestures like this terrific one are all the more important. At night, a beacon; by day, a transformation of the cargo vernacular.