The Czech Embassy in Addis Ababa

Project idea

The idea of this proposal is to provide a design that is not only functional but has a unique identity all while maintaining feasibility. All the different space requirements were transformed into separate masses to ensure maximum safety requirements and are at the same time semi-connected with a pavilion-like structure. Each of the masses is oriented and placed in relation to its respectful entrance and the circulation of its users within the site. Important design principles of natural lighting and natural ventilation were taken into consideration and reflected in the design of each mass. The idea of the pavilion-like structure is to create a user-friendly experience by providing rain protection and sun-shading, integrate the landscape by dividing the site into different parts according to the functional zoning and interacting with the green areas, and finally assist in way-finding and guidance throughout the site. The form of this structure was inspired by tree branches as Ethiopia is a land of lush vegetation thanks to its rainy weather. The material used for the construction of this proposal is concrete as it is the most widely available local construction material and a familiar material for the local workforce.

Project description

A description of each of the following aspects and different scopes is to be provided for easier communication:
1. Functional Zoning:
a. Official Embassy Building: The main chancellery was designed into a wide and long mass that dominates the site and separates it into 2 parts: residential (staff residence and diplomatic residence) and the public part (official embassy and visa and consular users). This building contains the different offices sections (placed in relation to the staff residence), the representative area (placed in relation to the main entrance and the diplomatic residence), the technical areas in the basement floor beneath the offices to as not to interrupt the flow of the users, and finally a main entrance and distribution zone in the form of a glass box. This building is accessible through the main entrance to the south.
b. Visa and Consular: this building was placed to the south and has a separate entrance and exist that facilitates direct entry and exit so as to minimize the exposure of the public users to the embassy premises for safety requirements.
c. Staff Residence: Placed to the west with a separate entrance, this building is facing towards an enclosed landscape area and facing away from the diplomatic residence to prevent the overlap of privacy. It is also placed in respectful proximity to the official embassy building to respect the circulation of the users and the embassy staff.
d. Residence: a double-story enclosed building to the north-east with a separate diplomatic entrance with a ground floor that is used for the representative area and an upper floor for the private residence, it is placed in proximity to the representative area in the official embassy building to facilitate the circulation of the users.
e. Workforce residence: as per recommendation, this building was placed in the western part of the plot separated from the rest of the plot with a narrow-street and is walled.
2. Artificial Avenues (pavilion-like structure):
The idea of the pavilion-like structure is to create a user-friendly experience by providing rain protection and sun-shading, integrate the landscape by dividing the site into different parts according to the functional zoning and interacting with the green areas, and finally assist in way-finding and guidance throughout the site. The form of this structure was inspired by tree branches as Ethiopia is a land of lush vegetation thanks to its rainy weather.

Technical information

A structural system of concrete shear walls and flat slabs was used for the construction of this proposal. The choice of concrete as a material is greatly influenced by local forces as it is the most widely available local construction material and a familiar material for the local workforce. The material also is proven to have a high durability for rainy weather.

Co-authors

Assoc. Prof. Thomas Loeffler, MSc. Mostafa Atwa