EMBASSY OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia

CTU in Prague - Faculty of Civil Engineering

Project idea

The territory of the complex is divided in closed official zone and open space with parking and building for local forces. The main entrance to the site is situated on the south. Consular and visa office is integrated in the wall surrounding official buildings and is the only building accessible directly from the street. Right after the main gates is located official embassy building, which is accessible from opposite sides. The basement of the main building is connected with the kitchen in the residence, which is situated on the north side of the site. Ambassador`s residence repeats the form of the embassy building in smaller scale. Apartment building for the embassy staff consists of 2 parts with inner yard each and can be found on the east from the main building. Between apartment and official embassy buildings is designed open common area embedded in the ground.

Project description

Official Embassy Building. In the official building only ground floor is accessible for visitors. The main space for gathering of people is representative hall, two walls and roof of which are glass, facing north-east. In addition, ground floor includes representative lounges, meeting rooms and dining room. Upper floors serve as offices. Kitchen, underground parking and technical support are situated in the basement.

Residence. Residence is divided by floors in 3 zones: public, private and working. Ground floor includes spacious enter space, hall, public kitchen, guest room and public bathroom. The upper floor is designed for ambassador`s family life. In the basement is located kitchen and changing room for the staff, which is connected with an underground corridor to the kitchen of an office building. Kitchen is also accessible from the service entrance and public kitchen in the ground floor. The whole building is designed with regular grid of pillars 5.2-5.7m far from each other. Part of the roof above the main stairs is covered with glass which allows natural sunlight flow inside. The facades follow the same rhythm of squared windows on all the sides.

Building for local workforce. First floor of the building includes 4 flats (2 + kitchenette) and common verandas. There are various common spaces in the ground floor.

Consular and visa office. Building façade is made of the same material as the wall. Reception room is separated from the rest of the building and has different entrance.

Technical information

Residence`s and the official embassy building`s structures are designed with concrete pillars. The roof of the embassy main building is carried by concrete beams 1m high. All the other buildings in the complex have wall bearing structure.