Czech Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Faculty of Architecture and Design STU in Bratislava

Project idea

Selected area is located near to the city center of the Ethiopian capital – Addis Ababa. The boundary of the site is created mostly with roads and illegal buildings. For our proposal, we created another road, connecting streets on north and south. This solution has divided site into two separated parts. Western section is used for a residential building for local workforce along with the garden and parking lot. Because of the security this area is fenced off from the whole complex with its own entrance. This building is located next to a parking lot for the visitors of the consular and visa department and small public space, which consists of square, pool /lake/, which is also used for collecting rainwater, and also greenery. This small square creates a representative space in front of the official embassy building. New private roads are made mostly for pedestrians, what is the reason why there are wide sidewalks bordered with trees. In the second zone is located the rest of the buildings – the official embassy building connected with consular and visa department, private residence and residential building of embassy staff. There are three main parts in the embassy complex – public (official residential building with consular and visa department), semi-private (representative garden for special guests of embassy with tukulum, which is located in the center of the complex) and private part, which consists of residential building for embassy staff and residence with private garden with swimming pool, tennis court and playground. The structure of the Embassy complex is located within a sufficient distance from the site fencing perimeter. The main entrance with public square, which is possible to close (because of security) is in the south and logistics in the north while the residence entrance in the east side. Next to main entrance is located entryway for motor vehicles. The road inside of the area is connecting repre part of the embassy and underground garage and both gateways of the complex. North gateway is also used as main entrance to the private garage, which is part of the residence. Small area on southeast, which is not part of the complex is used as parking lot for visitors and waste management. New pedestrian sidewalks have been designed around the fence perimeter to simplify access to buildings.

Project description

All buildings are designed as two-storey constructions, except for the residential building for local workforce, which is three-storey building. The ground floor of the official building has three entrances – one for consular and visa department, one for the office section, both accessible directly from the square and one entrance for representative spaces on the north side. Office sections are situated on the second floor. Central part of the building is atrium with greenery, which offers a quality space for the employees and special guests to relax. Atrium can be connected with representative spaces. In spite of the simple facade, almost without windows from the street, interiors are bright and open, because of glass surfaces facing atrium and garden, skylights and perforated facades as well. Official building is connected with the residence and the apartment building with sidewalks with pergola, leading through the garden. Accent of the garden is “tukul” traditional African fireplace, transformed into a modern minimalist form. Private residence is situated on the boarder of semi-private part on the north side. Building is divided to the three parts. Central part consists of atrium with staircase to upper floor. On the left (smaller) side, there is garage on the ground floor and private guest apartment on the first floor. In the second part, there are representative spaces – a lounge and a dining room, also with a repre kitchen, storerooms, toilets and a cloakroom on the ground floor and a 5-room ambassador's apartment on the first floor. There are four entrances to the building - two on the ground floor, one for the guests and one for the staff. On the first floor there are separated entrances to private apartment and one for guest apartment. The first floor is also accessible by a lift hidden in the interior. The northeast part of the site is used as private garden with the swimming pool, covered with a minimalist wall with showers.

Technical information

Residential building designed for employees housing is divided by two forms - single-storey and two-storey apartments. The first floor offers shared spaces for residents like gym, kitchen and game room. The building is airy thanks to the sliding walls and the passage to the semi-private garden. Shared spaces on the second floor are mostly terraces with seating, small gardens or green areas. Shading in the summer months provide trees that pass through the whole form. Apartments are designed with different layout options. Three of them are designed also for people with disabilities. Residential for local workforce is designed similar to the previous one. The first floor is used for socializing, and there are also stores for bicycles and laundry room with storages. On the concrete facade are balconies with plants. The two-room apartment is the same on the both floors only with small changes like the location of the balcony or the orientation of the bedroom.  All buildings are designed as two-storey constructions, except for the residential building for local workforce, which is three-storey building. The ground floor of the official building has three entrances – one for consular and visa department, one for the office sections both accessible directly from the square and one entrance for representative spaces on the north side. Office sections are situated on the second floor. Central part of the building is atrium with greenery, which offers a quality space for the employees and special guests to relax. Atrium can be connected with representative spaces.