the embassy of czech republic - addis abeba, ethiopia

Poznań University of Technology (Politechnika Poznańska), Faculty of Architecture, Poznań

Project idea

_project idea

How do you feel the space?
What kind of emotions accompany you while you are discovering spaces?

The project is a peculiar complex of buildings with various functions and it is an answer to the above questions. The foundation of this project is a specification of three basic functions of the complex, which are directly based on the specified functions - these are the part of the competition task. Representative buildings as buildings where users feel privileged to be there; residential buildings, where the most important thing is a sense of security; office building as workplace where people need a sense of concentration.

The idea based on three basic forms:

_office building - stark cuboid as building where people feel concentration and they can focus on their works
_residential buildings – buildings with diverse aslope roofs as a reinterpretation of archetype of the home
_representative buildings – they based on rotund forms: domes, arcades, circular floorplans, tunnel vaults – those kind of forms come across as momentous and great areas

Project description

The project is based on the reinterpretation of the customs and cultures of the Czech Republic and Ethiopia. The common denominator of these countries is the mountainous areas on which they lie and it is directly determines the diversity of the building's heights. Ethiopian traditions and culture was respected by using local materials, which are the most important building blocks of the entire complex. The clay blocks perfectly show the character of this place. Because of the high temperatures in this country, the buildings have been designed in a way which reduces as much as possible the infiltration of sunlight into the interiors. The rooms located at the southern side of the complex - most exposed to the sun - are mostly rooms where people do not spend so many time during the day. Simple, minimalist furniture, designed by Czech artist – Jidrich Halabala, give individual form to the interiors.

Designed buildings compose homogenous complex and at the same time are separate forms. By their arrangement on the plot, the buildings form the public zone with front elevations, while creating private zones intended only for their users in the back.

Technical information

The technical issue was one of the most important thing during design process. All buildings are simple forms and can be build by local workers. This kind of design is in accordance with the principles of sustainable development. The layout of the structure is adapted to construction module of 30 cm width clay bricks. Natural materials make microclimate friendly. Design of the embassy complex based on energy saving solutions. One of them is a location of rooms, at the southern side of the complex - most exposed to the sun - are mostly rooms where people do not sped so much time during the day. Water and greenery (ethipian species, inc. Ensete ventricosum, Sansevieria) which are an integral part of the complex, make the areas friendly for people. The project brings people, nature and architecture together.

Co-authors

authors: Aleksandra Stoltz, Marceli Sobański
teacher: arch. Ewa Angoneze-Grela

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