Free pentagon

Project idea

The general idea of the project was to seperate all parts of the embassy into different buildings, so that the different departments can be seen from the outside and to improve the functionality of each department.
We had the aim to fullfill all requierments of the embassy and at the same time to bring all together to an interesting shape, which seperates and defines all parts of the site.

Project description

The shape of the whole complex evolved from a free form with five edges that we cut in pieces with different sizes. Then we increased the spaces in between the newly shaped pieces, to create open spaces wich can be used by the public or the embassy staff.

The buildings have two different facades. The facade facing the fence which will surround the complex is made out of loam boards held in his tipical colour. On the walls facing the open spaces inside the complex the facade is made out of white loam bricks. The windows and doors are the only elements which break through the facade. They got a thin golden metal frame, working as a sun protection.

For design reasons we did not choose the same sun protection concept on the walls facing the courtyard. Instead of that we used large wooden boards which provide enough shaddow for the inner windows.

In the main building we tried to orientate as many rooms as posible into the courtyard. The courtyard has a cooling effect on the building thanks to the water areas. There a three terraces facing the courtyard to get the most out of it.

Technical information

We tried to use only common building materials, therefore we used loam for the facades which also improves the climate and air quality of the buildings and wood. The whole complex is a wood construction with additional isolation to make the buildings more sustainable.

The facade is rear ventilated to create a natural cooling of the building. Therefour the golden frames of the windows, mentioned before, reach through the space in-between the facade and the walls of the building.

At the terraces the wooden beams used for the ceilings of the rooms next to the terraces just reach through the walls to form the basic construction of the sun protection.

Co-authors

Peter Rait and Benedikt Gierl