Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
11.10.18, 11'04Roeoesli Maeder Architekten wraps Swiss embassy in Nairobi with dyed-concrete walls
Seite 1 von 8https://www.dezeen.com/2018/10/10/roeoesli-maeder-architekten-swiss-embassy-nairobi-kenya-architecture/#disqus_thread
Top architecture stories
Dyed concrete walls surround Swiss embassy inNairobi by Roeoesli Maeder Architekten
Tom Ravenscroft | 10 October 2018 | 4 comments
Swiss studio Roeoesli Maeder Architekten has built anembassy forSwitzerland in Nairobi, Kenya, as an extension of the dyedconcrete boundary wall that surrounds the compound.
The concrete building is built in a prominently wealthy residentialarea of the Kenyan capital, which is home to numerous nation'sembassies, including the HOK-designed US Embassy. It containsdiplomatic and consulate services for the Swiss government.
MoviesCommentsOpinionSubscribe
ArchitectureInteriorsDesignTechnology
MagazineJobsHot ListAwards
Follow:
Search
11.10.18, 11'04Roeoesli Maeder Architekten wraps Swiss embassy in Nairobi with dyed-concrete walls
Seite 2 von 8https://www.dezeen.com/2018/10/10/roeoesli-maeder-architekten-swiss-embassy-nairobi-kenya-architecture/#disqus_thread
Most popular
Most recent
1 Richard Meier steps downfollowing sexual harassmentallegations
2 BIG builds "winding wall" ofaffordable housing inCopenhagen
3 Foster + Partners' BloombergHQ wins Stirling Prize 2018
4 Roeoesli Maeder Architektenwraps Swiss embassy inNairobi with dyed-concretewalls
5 10 modernist architecturalmarvels on America's EastCoast
Richard Keep and Henry Gossunveil plans for Nairobi tower inrainy renderings
Sliding glass walls allow seabreezes into Malan Vorster'sClifton House
Faulkner Architects wrapsNorthern California home inweathering steel
The embassy's form is designed as an extension of the 2.5-metre-high perimeter wall, which was required to enclose the site forsecurity reasons.
According to Roeoesli Maeder Architekten, this wall provided a"contradictory but exciting starting point for the requiredrepresentative facility for a modern, open Switzerland".
The building extends away from the wall and turns to form a spiralshape, with both elements designed to appear as a singlearchitectural construction.
The perimeter wall and the embassy are built from dyed exposed-concrete in a red-brown colour, meant to represent the "coffeesoil" earth that Nairobi is built on, which owes its colour to thehigh iron content.
11.10.18, 11'04Roeoesli Maeder Architekten wraps Swiss embassy in Nairobi with dyed-concrete walls
Seite 3 von 8https://www.dezeen.com/2018/10/10/roeoesli-maeder-architekten-swiss-embassy-nairobi-kenya-architecture/#disqus_thread
Foster + Partners converts HongKong office tower into high-endhotel
Subscribe
Next
Headless human-shaped pillow byAseptic Studio designed to reduceurban loneliness
Related storyLocalarchitecturetransforms 1960shouse into Swissembassy for IvoryCoast
At the embassy's entrance, where it connects to the wall, thebuilding has a single storey above ground. This section of thebuilding contains the publicly accessible consular facilities.
As the building extends from the wall, the slopping ground dropsaway to reveal a two-storey structure, which containsthe diplomatic areas and offices.
Photo is by Fabio Idini
Large concrete projections provide shade for the windows in thissection of the building, allowing the offices to have viewsuninterrupted by shutters.
The scale and thickness of the concrete walls were determined bythe amount of material needed to provide adequate thermal
Subscribe toour newsletters
11.10.18, 11'04Roeoesli Maeder Architekten wraps Swiss embassy in Nairobi with dyed-concrete walls
Seite 4 von 8https://www.dezeen.com/2018/10/10/roeoesli-maeder-architekten-swiss-embassy-nairobi-kenya-architecture/#disqus_thread
This week's Dezeen Mail featuresLondon's new US Embassy andDezeen Hot List 2017
storage mass so that the building can be operated without heatingor air conditioning.
Photo is by Fabio Idini
A central reception hall connects the two storeys of diplomaticoffices, with the single-storey, more public wing of the building.
This space and all the building's public areas, including the visawaiting area, have exposed concrete walls and floors made frompolished concrete.
Each of the office's has large glass windows with an opening panelto allow natural ventilation.
The floors in these offices and the meeting rooms are made fromsolid eucalyptus parquet tiles, which according to the architect isthe only sustainable wood available in Kenya.
Switzerland's other notable embassies include its home in theIvory Coast, which Localarchitecture created by extending a 1960svilla.
Photography is by Iwan Baan, unless stated.
11.10.18, 11'04Roeoesli Maeder Architekten wraps Swiss embassy in Nairobi with dyed-concrete walls
Seite 5 von 8https://www.dezeen.com/2018/10/10/roeoesli-maeder-architekten-swiss-embassy-nairobi-kenya-architecture/#disqus_thread
Popularjobs
Featuredjobs
Idee Architects updates house onVietnamese citrus farm withpavilion-like living space
Waataa transforms Lisbon officesinto compact apartments with fold-out furniture
Portholes connectcommunity centreand kindergarten inCambridge
Cabana and pool byCDM cut into rockyslope on Mexico'scoast
Peter Zumthorinterview: I'mtrying to change mymysteriousreputation
Barcelonasimplifies crest topromote the teamin "the world ofdigital media"
Renzo Piano'sstudio designs"imaginary island"
S&T Architectsdesigns poolsideretreat in Ukrainian
Steimle Architektencompletes "crystal-like" concrete house
Innauer-MattArchitekten's tinyAlpine chapel
Share and comment
4 comments
MoreArchitectureInteriorsDesignTechnology
Project credits:
Client: Swiss ConfederationArchitect: Roeoesli & Maeder ArchitektenLocal architect: DMJ ArchitectsConstruction project management: Mentor ManagementLandscape architect: Concrete JungleCivil engineers: BG Ingenieure und Berater and MetrixIntegrated ConsultancyMEP engineers: BG Ingenieure und Berater and EAMS
Read more Architecture Concrete Embassies Kenya Coloured concrete
Subscribe to our newsletters
Next
More images and plans
Recommended stories
1 Experienced projectarchitects at DentonCorker Marshall
2 Project architect atStudio Egret West
3 Havering qualityreview panel membersat Frame Projects
4 Architectureprogramme andawards manager atRoyal Academy of Arts
5 Project/experiencedarchitects at CarsonSall Architecture
