Czech Embassy in Ethiopia "Back to the future"

Kharkiv National University of Civil Engineering and Architecture

Project idea

ATMOSPHERE
Czech architecture is associated with Gothic, but the architectural solution suggests not literally interpreting this fact, but returning to history ... Gothic at the time of its birth brought a very characteristic feature of the architecture - lightness and delicacy. The architectural solution demonstrates the process of transformation of heavy monumental forms into something more elegant and light. This is demonstrated by the contrast between the character of the openwork galleries and the monumental walls of the building. This concept demonstrated both security and friendliness.

PROTECTION AGAINST HEAT
Security from the sun is provided through galleries, which are an integral element throughout the complex and narrow windows, which provide sufficient illumination and protect against direct sunlight. Perforated parts of the walls are also additional elements of ventilation.

ZONING
The design decision is based on the zoning of the territory by the architectural forms of the buildings of the complex. The location of the buildings is done in such a way as to ensure interconnection between the zones in the right places and eliminate unnecessary intersections of the flows.

SCENARIO
The main concept of the organization of the internal complex of the embassy was the creation of a scenario for the movement of visitors. Entering the main entrance of the embassy, the first thing that hits the eye is a closed light atrium with a green lawn. Then we find ourselves in a huge solemn space that unites all representative spaces. Directly along the line of view through a large stained glass window there is a view of the mirror-like surface of a pool with tropical plants planted around it. The center of the representative area is the courtyard for various events, which, thanks to the sliding system, is combined into a huge space with a cafe area and a representative hall at will. It is also possible variative zoning of this space.

Project description

The main factor in shaping the complex is to ensure the distribution of the declared functions and flows, the site is functionally and compositionally divided into the following zones: the ceremonial area of ​​the main office block, the cozy recreational zone of the office block, the recreation zone, the ambassador’s garden, the recreation area of ​​the residential complex, the sports zone, and the private social space. housing for local workers, a household for social housing, and a state-owned yard with the loading of the main complex. The project solution proposes to separate the social housing zones from the main complex by passage and locate it on the western border, which is the most problematic for the embassy complex, since it adjoins the schoolyard. With this solution, we isolate unwanted noise.
Other zones are proposed based on the location of the site in the city.
For comfortable zoning, first of all it relies on the orientation of the site in urban development, that is, first of all we rely on the location of the site in the city and find entrances.
Geographically, the entrances that most conveniently connect the airport and the stretch from the north and east overlook the eastern border. That is why the design solution proposes making the main entrance to the main office block there and locating the ceremonial zone there. The residence is also representative functions, therefore, is the second level of privacy of the site. To prevent the intersection of the main office and residence flows, it is proposed to make the main entrance to the residence in the north part. Thus, we separate the entrances, in addition, this location of the residence provides after his family and guests convenient access to the center and to the airport. The residential complex for the embassy staff has an entrance from the eastern border, is connected to the center and the location in the depth of the site provides comfortable living conditions for residents.
Thus, the zoning of the territory and the location of the main entrances are determined.
Further, an analysis of the compositional grid of the surrounding buildings was carried out, and it was determined that the existing grid is the most successful in terms of rotation relative to the cardinal points, therefore it was decided to support it.
The shape of the buildings in the complex supports the concept of zoning. Their location actually forms the zoning of the territory. The main facade of the embassy is a representative person designing my embassy, ​​it is a kind of barrier separating cozy zones from noisy ones.
Houses, residences and embassies are located along the perimeter of the territory, forming inside space that can act in various functional areas, for example, for cultural and educational events, outdoor banquets, etc. ..
The residence has a connection with the main office building, but the private areas are separated both by the building itself and the large assembly hall.
The gallery provides the connection of the housing of the workers of the complex with the main office building, which not only provides convenient access of workers to the place of work, but also separates the parking lot, the economic building of the residential building and the household building with loading from the courtyard for events. The private zone of the inhabitants of the dwelling is separated from the presentation zone by a residential building, its shape forms a cozy courtyard. Opposite the windows facing the courtyard, where events are held for the comfortable existence of residents. The consular and visa center is part of the main office building, but has its own entrance and the courtyard itself, which was created thanks to the elongated shape of the visa center itself, is a kind of boundary between these various functions. Parking visa and consular center is located directly in front of the entrance to the center. The parking lot is the economic compound of the embassy complex, where the loading platform is provided, and the organization of garbage collection. The entrance to the underground parking is located between the embassy's economic court and the parking at the visa application center. To prevent inconvenience in the intersection of different types of entrances, for the distribution of flows of vehicles there is a flower bed separating the movement. This design solution is correct, since the number of entrances to the embassy complex is minimized, and this, from the point of view of monitoring the territory, greatly simplifies life and increases the level of security on the territory of the complex.
Planning decision of the main embassy building.
The main building of the embassy has two main entrances from different courtyards: the main entrance to the visa and consular center and the lobby. The entrance to the visa center falls into the waiting hall, where there is a window for issuing documents. The lobby has a bathroom for visitors. For a comfortable wait, there is a gallery on the street where you can comfortably wait your turn. From the waiting hall, if necessary, you can get into the meeting rooms, controlled by the staff of the consular and visa centers. Offices of the visa and consular center are also provided, which can be accessed only with an embassy employee at the door with a lock. For employees of the center provides a bathroom with shower.
In front of the main vestibule of the embassy complex, a security vestibule is provided, where through a window you can send mail to the reception and also through special doors controlled by the reception, you can get to the first conference hall. The main lobby is provided around the clock, waiting area and bathrooms for visitors. The lobby has meeting rooms, also controlled by the reception. From the main vestibule through the controlled doors you can get into the hall with the main stairs and an elevator shaft connecting the first, second and underground floors. Because of this, the hall can get into the working area of ​​the first floor, namely in Block D (the staff is hired employees. Administrative and technical premises) and the staff room. By the stairs you can get to the second floor in the hall of the second floor. On the ground floor there is also a loading to the kitchen, it has an entrance from the south side of the complex from the economic yard of the main building of the complex.
From the main lobby, through special doors you can get to the representative area of ​​the embassy, ​​where a representative hall with a bar overlooking the pool, conference rooms, a large assembly hall, a cafe, and an exit to the courtyard are located.
The main concept of the organization of the internal embassy complex was the creation of a scenario for the movement of visitors. Entering the main entrance of the embassy, ​​the first thing that catches the eye is a closed world atrium with a green lawn. Then we find ourselves in a huge solemn space that unites all representative spaces. Directly along the line of view, due to the large stained glass glazing, a view of the mirror-like surface of a pool with tropical plants planted around is unfolding. The center of the representative area is the courtyard for various events, which, thanks to the sliding system, is combined into a huge space with a cafe area and a representative hall at will. It is also possible variative zoning of this space.
On the second floor are located office block A (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), which is separated by closed doors from other office blocks, office block B (Employees working with the agenda and economic relations between the Czech Republic and Ethiopia), and office block C (Ministry of Foreign Affairs )
In the underground floor there is a parking for 11 cars, storage and technical rooms.
Planning solution residence.
On the ground floor there is a reception area which includes a hall, a waiting room and a large dining room, a second-level privacy zone, where the living room is located (which, if necessary, is fenced off, but with large receptions also becomes representative space), a study room and a guest bedroom. . Also on the ground floor there is a staff area and a garage connected to the kitchen through a vestibule. On the second floor is the private space of the ambassador’s family, namely the bedrooms, dressing rooms and recreational areas.
Planning solution of a residential building for embassy employees.
It is possible to get into the residential complex in two ways: Through the gallery, which combines the embassy’s office building and housing through a cafe or through its own entrance to the residential building. Accommodation is of gallery type, the galleries overlook the courtyard. On the first floor there are two one-room, one two-room and two four-room apartments. On the second floor there are two two-bedroom and three three-bedroom apartments. Maintenance and technical facilities are shared with the main embassy building.
Planning solution of social housing for local workers.
In the social building there are four identical two-bedroom apartments, the yaks are located in pairs on either side of the common utility room and are covered with one roof, due to which they have galleries.

Technical information

The structural system of the complex is load-bearing walls and enclosing structures covered with reinforced concrete monolithic slabs. Facing materials are sand travertine and white stone.

Technical and economic indicators.
Land area: 13304m2abo 1.33 ha.
The building area of the complex: 3159.7 m2.
Total area of the building: 6003 m2.
Useful area of the building: 4256.4 m2.
Estimated building area: 3744.7 m2.
Building volume: 21473.7 m2.

Explication of premises is provided in graphic materials.

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