Architectural design of the Czech Embassy in Ethiopia

Project idea

The embassy combines the concepts of asylum and security with the symbolic values of the country's history and culture, and infuses the history and culture shared by both countries into the sculptural form.

Project description

Embassy is the highest-level of diplomatic mission in a country. As a bridge of cultural and political communication and a representative of national culture, embassy is inclusive as well as solemn. The Czech Embassy in Ethiopia is designed to be a combination of the affinity with citizens and the solemnity of the representative of the national image and a reflection of the cultural genes of the nation.
The aggregation of large-scale building blocks forms a strong visual impact, providing a solemn sense of view. The sculpture patterns with Czech and Ethiopian local characteristics are attached to the surface of giant blocks interspersed in different monolithic buildings, fully demonstrating the embassy's tolerance for the national cultures of both nations.
The mainbuilding is characterized by the mega-stone pillar elements that intersect in the three-storey mega-administrative office building, not only creating the solemn sense of the atrium part of the main building, but also meeting the need of natural ventilation of the floor. The north of the mega-stone skin is twisted in shallow relief form, arousing people’s impression of the geometric patterns of Ethiopian and Czech cultures. A corridor, with an outdoor cantilevered balcony at the end, is intersected in the huge stone pillars of the atrium, contrasting with the solemnity of the main building.

Technical information

reinforced concrete frame structure

Co-authors

Hou rui,Yawei zhang ,Yixuan Wu