The embassy of the Czech Republic - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

University of Piloto de Colombia

Project idea

Prague, The capital of Czech Republic was analyzed by its forms and an interesting pattern was discovered. The gothic cathedrals emerge as a background of the city, taller than the housing, more expressive architecture, standing out by its pointy pinnacles and spires as if they guard the town, witnessing human life underneath them.

The official building as the biggest one on the complex, in relation with the Consular and Visa building, recreates the vivid concept. Conceiving a designed public space were the life goes on, the big official building stands out at the back of the water cascade, it represents Charles Bridge crossing Vtlava river in Prague, the rotation of the architectural volume introduces perspective from eye level, and the pointy representative cathedral begins to appear, overlooking the complex of the beauty it is made of, and it a part of.

Project description

The design of the diplomatic complex aims to comply with the requested specifications, this is addressed from a series of parameters.
First, the plot is geometrized with the intention of zoning the project and separating the residential area from the work area, the geometry axes are extracted from the original form of the plot.
Secondly, a public space is designed next to the consular building in which the aim is to transmit Czech culture through artistic exhibitions and spaces that show the representative aspects of this nation and in this way be able to evoke the "Genius Loci" to the visitors and workers.
Finally, from the geometrisation of the plot and the axes evidenced, some initial volumetries are proposed and are separated by elements such as water and soft zones (Pasture). In this way, other aspects evidenced in Prague are reinterpreted.

Technical information

As a constructive system, the mixed system (concrete and steel) is chosen, because it is a versatile and structurally flexible system, solar panels are raised on the roofs and the reuse of rainwater for the water mirrors. Local materials will be used, in order to avoid unnecessary costs.
We design spaces where the user can stay protected from direct sunlight and also take into account the natural ventilation in buildings. The housing buildings are oriented with respect to the solar axis, so that they receive light during the day.