SWISS EMBASSY IN NAIROBI - 6th Prize -
In conjunction with Manuel Herz Architekten and Rahbaran Hürzeler Architekten
In conjunction with Manuel Herz Architekten and Rahbaran Hürzeler Architekten
My first work experience in Switzerland was a competition to design a Swiss Embassy in Nairobi, for the architecture offices Manuel Herz Architekten and Rahbaran Hürzeler Architekten. The project was already well underway when I joined the team. My task was to draw the site plan and several sections through the building to be added in to the final panels.
Concerning the site, there were two big silk trees in the middle to the plot, which had to be kept, and we designed the landscape and the embassy accordingly. After many facade and structural studies we chose a reinforced concrete facade with big openings towards the landscape.
The sections had to emphasize the main features of the building, such as the green courtyard at the building's core, that visually connected the different floors, introducing at the same time natural light and the long cantilevers of the building which created shaded and rain protected areas.
I enjoyed this first experience in Switzerland. I learned a different way to project and present the drawings as well as a special attention for constructive detail and materials.
There were seven prizes to be decided among 119 teams, mainly from Switzerland but also from other European countries. We received the sixth prize and it was very gratifying because the probability was not very high and we didn't place too many expectations on that.
Concerning the site, there were two big silk trees in the middle to the plot, which had to be kept, and we designed the landscape and the embassy accordingly. After many facade and structural studies we chose a reinforced concrete facade with big openings towards the landscape.
The sections had to emphasize the main features of the building, such as the green courtyard at the building's core, that visually connected the different floors, introducing at the same time natural light and the long cantilevers of the building which created shaded and rain protected areas.
I enjoyed this first experience in Switzerland. I learned a different way to project and present the drawings as well as a special attention for constructive detail and materials.
There were seven prizes to be decided among 119 teams, mainly from Switzerland but also from other European countries. We received the sixth prize and it was very gratifying because the probability was not very high and we didn't place too many expectations on that.
