Mat-Building

Project idea

We start by referencing czech author´s, Kafka, book “Methamorphisis”, in which he creates a state of crisis for the modern man´s life, via language, knowledge, time and ethics. Concepts which reflect the turbulent geopolitical and cultural constitution of the Czech Republic. This constitution has been defined by a line of different ideologies that have been abruptly transformed ( Monarchy / Republic and socialism / Capitalism) and which have tapped in the construction of the social, spacial and urban structure of the city.
Just like a fractal, ruled by irregularity (represented in the compilation of culture) and fragmentation (represented in the urbanization of the city and its functionality) the end result is a physiological change via adition of information. This conceptualization is epitomized in a big scale, formal organizational system, dubbed Mat-Building.
“They arise from the formal evolution of joints and intersections observed in modern architecture (…) Mat- Buildings are intersections that repeat themselves unto creating a framework, a modular perfectible system” Montaner, J.M. (2008) Sistemas Arquitectónicos Contemporáneos. (pp. 90) Barcelona: Gustavo Gili, SL.
This modular framework has as a guiding principle; the comprehension of the traditional ethiopian weaving technique, which allows us to interact with the site via a weaved system, bound by occupied and hollow areas.
Addis Abeba is a point of expansion and gentrification, having seen a sustained growth of its population in the last years, it represents diverse cultures and age groups; being reflected in the inclusion of new systems and services which bring a new image to the town, a symbolic image of the contemporary, an integration of technology and architecture. This is why we intended to create a project that presents itself as an answer to the guidelines of the contemporary image that is being built in Ethiopia
This programmatic and formal juxtaposition of the embassy is addressed from a contemporary architectonical language, whilst respecting the traditions and history of a country. Another important aspect of this proposal is the formal configuration, which is based in repetitive patterns which help articulate the program horizontaly and vertically.
To establish the urban dynamics of the project, we identified the primary and secondary roadways near the site, which allowed us to establish entrances and exits (inputs and outputs), service roads, and main roads which link the different systems of the embassy´s program in the site.
In an architectural scale, using a language created by the conceptualization of a structure with metabolic characteristics, we look into the joining and duplication capacity of the structure, establishing four separate volumes (embassy, visa and consular building, residence, and embassy staff residence), this fragmentation aludes to the initial morphological and cultural constitution of both countries. This buildings are unified by a livable rooftop that bonds them (according to the state of the current relationship of these countries), creating hollow spaces that give structure to the framework, dividing according to the different purposes of the areas, while creating extensions of the indoors program. These patios are flexible, according to the context and physical limits of the project, creating a critical relationship between the formal-spatial and the programatic needs of the embassy.
This Mat-Building language creates a logic applicable to its construction, using rigid structural frames, creating closed and open spaces, modifying the perception of the lived space, granting the maximum amount of interconnection as possible between its parts, while preserving privacy where needed.
We look to create homogeneity and neutrality to a certain degree in the space, creating an indetermination that makes for a flexible use of the space, defining a new concept of the work place. This reticular language brings a sustainability character to each building: alternating open spaces creating a cross breeze and vertical openings to mantain a comfortable temperature using a chimney effect, directing the hot air upwards. The facade is following in the same language of the structure and is used as a Brise Soleil to reduce sun exposure of the indoor areas.
This manner of creating roots, works by adapting and owning the site through volumes and hollow areas, in constant relationship with its inmediate context, achieved with small plazas, which are used as a representative area for the different cultures, for recreational purposes while at the same time serving as an articulation and buffing space for the embassy complex, generating privacy and safety where needed, in relation with its public limits.

Project description

We start by referencing czech author´s, Kafka, book “Methamorphisis”, in which he creates a state of crisis for the modern man´s life, via language, knowledge, time and ethics. Concepts which reflect the turbulent geopolitical and cultural constitution of the Czech Republic. This constitution has been defined by a line of different ideologies that have been abruptly transformed ( Monarchy / Republic and socialism / Capitalism) and which have tapped in the construction of the social, spacial and urban structure of the city.
Just like a fractal, ruled by irregularity (represented in the compilation of culture) and fragmentation (represented in the urbanization of the city and its functionality) the end result is a physiological change via adition of information. This conceptualization is epitomized in a big scale, formal organizational system, dubbed Mat-Building.
“They arise from the formal evolution of joints and intersections observed in modern architecture (…) Mat- Buildings are intersections that repeat themselves unto creating a framework, a modular perfectible system” Montaner, J.M. (2008) Sistemas Arquitectónicos Contemporáneos. (pp. 90) Barcelona: Gustavo Gili, SL.
This modular framework has as a guiding principle; the comprehension of the traditional ethiopian weaving technique, which allows us to interact with the site via a weaved system, bound by occupied and hollow areas.
Addis Abeba is a point of expansion and gentrification, having seen a sustained growth of its population in the last years, it represents diverse cultures and age groups; being reflected in the inclusion of new systems and services which bring a new image to the town, a symbolic image of the contemporary, an integration of technology and architecture. This is why we intended to create a project that presents itself as an answer to the guidelines of the contemporary image that is being built in Ethiopia
This programmatic and formal juxtaposition of the embassy is addressed from a contemporary architectonical language, whilst respecting the traditions and history of a country. Another important aspect of this proposal is the formal configuration, which is based in repetitive patterns which help articulate the program horizontaly and vertically.
To establish the urban dynamics of the project, we identified the primary and secondary roadways near the site, which allowed us to establish entrances and exits (inputs and outputs), service roads, and main roads which link the different systems of the embassy´s program in the site.
In an architectural scale, using a language created by the conceptualization of a structure with metabolic characteristics, we look into the joining and duplication capacity of the structure, establishing four separate volumes (embassy, visa and consular building, residence, and embassy staff residence), this fragmentation aludes to the initial morphological and cultural constitution of both countries. This buildings are unified by a livable rooftop that bonds them (according to the state of the current relationship of these countries), creating hollow spaces that give structure to the framework, dividing according to the different purposes of the areas, while creating extensions of the indoors program. These patios are flexible, according to the context and physical limits of the project, creating a critical relationship between the formal-spatial and the programatic needs of the embassy.
This Mat-Building language creates a logic applicable to its construction, using rigid structural frames, creating closed and open spaces, modifying the perception of the lived space, granting the maximum amount of interconnection as possible between its parts, while preserving privacy where needed.
We look to create homogeneity and neutrality to a certain degree in the space, creating an indetermination that makes for a flexible use of the space, defining a new concept of the work place. This reticular language brings a sustainability character to each building: alternating open spaces creating a cross breeze and vertical openings to mantain a comfortable temperature using a chimney effect, directing the hot air upwards. The facade is following in the same language of the structure and is used as a Brise Soleil to reduce sun exposure of the indoor areas.
This manner of creating roots, works by adapting and owning the site through volumes and hollow areas, in constant relationship with its inmediate context, achieved with small plazas, which are used as a representative area for the different cultures, for recreational purposes while at the same time serving as an articulation and buffing space for the embassy complex, generating privacy and safety where needed, in relation with its public limits.

Technical information

We start by referencing czech author´s, Kafka, book “Methamorphisis”, in which he creates a state of crisis for the modern man´s life, via language, knowledge, time and ethics. Concepts which reflect the turbulent geopolitical and cultural constitution of the Czech Republic. This constitution has been defined by a line of different ideologies that have been abruptly transformed ( Monarchy / Republic and socialism / Capitalism) and which have tapped in the construction of the social, spacial and urban structure of the city.
Just like a fractal, ruled by irregularity (represented in the compilation of culture) and fragmentation (represented in the urbanization of the city and its functionality) the end result is a physiological change via adition of information. This conceptualization is epitomized in a big scale, formal organizational system, dubbed Mat-Building.
“They arise from the formal evolution of joints and intersections observed in modern architecture (…) Mat- Buildings are intersections that repeat themselves unto creating a framework, a modular perfectible system” Montaner, J.M. (2008) Sistemas Arquitectónicos Contemporáneos. (pp. 90) Barcelona: Gustavo Gili, SL.
This modular framework has as a guiding principle; the comprehension of the traditional ethiopian weaving technique, which allows us to interact with the site via a weaved system, bound by occupied and hollow areas.
Addis Abeba is a point of expansion and gentrification, having seen a sustained growth of its population in the last years, it represents diverse cultures and age groups; being reflected in the inclusion of new systems and services which bring a new image to the town, a symbolic image of the contemporary, an integration of technology and architecture. This is why we intended to create a project that presents itself as an answer to the guidelines of the contemporary image that is being built in Ethiopia
This programmatic and formal juxtaposition of the embassy is addressed from a contemporary architectonical language, whilst respecting the traditions and history of a country. Another important aspect of this proposal is the formal configuration, which is based in repetitive patterns which help articulate the program horizontaly and vertically.
To establish the urban dynamics of the project, we identified the primary and secondary roadways near the site, which allowed us to establish entrances and exits (inputs and outputs), service roads, and main roads which link the different systems of the embassy´s program in the site.
In an architectural scale, using a language created by the conceptualization of a structure with metabolic characteristics, we look into the joining and duplication capacity of the structure, establishing four separate volumes (embassy, visa and consular building, residence, and embassy staff residence), this fragmentation aludes to the initial morphological and cultural constitution of both countries. This buildings are unified by a livable rooftop that bonds them (according to the state of the current relationship of these countries), creating hollow spaces that give structure to the framework, dividing according to the different purposes of the areas, while creating extensions of the indoors program. These patios are flexible, according to the context and physical limits of the project, creating a critical relationship between the formal-spatial and the programatic needs of the embassy.
This Mat-Building language creates a logic applicable to its construction, using rigid structural frames, creating closed and open spaces, modifying the perception of the lived space, granting the maximum amount of interconnection as possible between its parts, while preserving privacy where needed.
We look to create homogeneity and neutrality to a certain degree in the space, creating an indetermination that makes for a flexible use of the space, defining a new concept of the work place. This reticular language brings a sustainability character to each building: alternating open spaces creating a cross breeze and vertical openings to mantain a comfortable temperature using a chimney effect, directing the hot air upwards. The facade is following in the same language of the structure and is used as a Brise Soleil to reduce sun exposure of the indoor areas.
This manner of creating roots, works by adapting and owning the site through volumes and hollow areas, in constant relationship with its inmediate context, achieved with small plazas, which are used as a representative area for the different cultures, for recreational purposes while at the same time serving as an articulation and buffing space for the embassy complex, generating privacy and safety where needed, in relation with its public limits.