The Rock-Hewn Fortress (The Embassy of Czech Republic in Addis Ababa)

École supérieure d'audiovisuel et de design

Project idea

°The idea is to have an introverted form to appeal the curiosity of passenger .
°The concept is inspired by The Rock-Hewn Churches of Ethiopia and the
the classical architecture of Czech, the project contains overflowing reliefs
imitating nature, to get out of the urban context of the site to implement the
project in a forest in the middle of the town to have a natural and abstract view
in the middle of the project and give it a sacrament and diplomatic aspect.
° Our project is designed to give an aspect of a small village to give a more welcoming ambiance.
° In addition, it can give the ability to change the function and transform the project into a school or a residential complex.

Project description

°The project is composed of 5 blocks and three entrance Noth, Est, and South.
° The 5 buildings are surrounded by a strip of greenery and trees, these spaces have an inclination of 45 degrees. By far the project seems to be a mountain of rock where there are forest and buildings with a welcoming entrance perspective.
°The convergence point of the 5 buildings is the Colosseum or the auditorium where is situated the sculpture.
°The minimalist material used all the project is used wood, paint white and rock to create a calm and noble combination of color.
 

Technical information

°The ventilated facade the band of the openings at a certain level of (2 meters)has the role of natural airation to create a pleasant temperature inside,
the band of the wood has a role as it is displayed in the detail to protect from the sun.
°Each building is covered from the roof by white photovoltaic panels with easy and complete integration to buildings, whether on the front or on the roof. Indeed, the technology developed consists of two elements: a nanotechnological film that has the property of letting infrared light pass while reflecting the visible spectrum and a solar cell sensitive to infrared light to convert the latter into electricity.

Co-authors

This project has been done with collaboration with an architecture student too
Narimane Boucena in all steps, from the concept to the final images.