Aga Khan Award for Architecture
Royal Embassy of the Netherlands
Architect: Dick Van Gameren, Bjarne Mastenbroek
Client: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Netherlands
Completed: 2005
Site size: 55'000 m²
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Royal Embassy of the Netherlands Project BriefA new European embassy in Africa is often an imposed (or at least imported) affair, using materials and human resources brought from outside. The Dutch Embassy in Addis Ababa is different. It was realised entirely by local contractors, using the only widely available local construction material, concrete, coupled with Ethiopian stone and timber for the interior finishes. The brief required new buildings for the ambassador's residence, chancellery and staff housing, and the renovation of the existing deputy ambassador’s house. Along the way (the project took eight years to realise) a small school was added to the programme.
The Dutch embassy in Ethiopia lies on the southern outskirts of Addis Ababa in an eucalyptus grove set in amidst urban sprawl.© Christian RICHTERS
Care was taken not to disturb the original flora and wildlife.© Christian RICHTERS
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The driveway passes through the building and divides it into two parts: the chancellary and the ambassador's residence.
© Christian RICHTERS
The eastern third of the chancellary is two storeys high. The ambassador's offices are upstairs, commanding views of both the porch outside and the long corridor inside.© Christian RICHTERS
The main building's projecting roof comes into view even before the entry in the compound.© Christian RICHTERS
The ample double-height porch created by this overhead plane accommodates the reception counter and certain consular functions.© Christian RICHTERS
The concrete of the building is pigmented the same red-ochre as the Ethiopian earth.© Christian RICHTERS
The horizontal volume of the main building sits on the ridge of sloping ground, adapting its base to the rest.© Christian RICHTERS
Carefully dimensioned fenestration, patios and deep skylights allow in daylight without the glare of direct sun.© Christian RICHTERS
The disposition of the elements is designed to create maximum privacy, as if the building stood alone in this natural setting.© Christian RICHTERS
The concrete of the building is pigmented the same red-ochre as the Ethiopian earth.© Christian RICHTERS
The chancellary corridor climbs the gradient of the site, to terminate in a slope patio that smoothly connects to the roof/pool garden.© Christian RICHTERS
The ambassador's office and its waiting area are on the first floor of the eastern part of the chancellary.© Christian RICHTERS
A ramped corridor flanked by offices climbs the gradient of the site.© Christian RICHTERS
The roof landscape reminds the Dutch polder landscape. The concept is powerfully maintained when the rain falls.© Christian RICHTERS
The project is intended to set an example for a sensitive and sustainable approach towards existing natural and landscape values in Ethiopia.© Christian RICHTERS
The use of natural light constitutes a major source of design in this project.© Christian RICHTERS
The small school building and the staff housing mark the northern boundary of the site.© Christian RICHTERS
Concept© AKTC
Floor plans© AKTC
Sections© AKTC
Entrance pavilion© AKTC
Staff housing© AKTC
2007 Award Recipients
Review and Selection Procedures
Press: Press Releases, Speeches, Podcasts
AKAA 2007 Resources
Other 2007 Cycle Recipients
Moulmein Rise Residential Building
Rehabilitation of the Old City
Rehabilitation of the Walled City
Restoration of the Amiriya Complex
University of Technology Petronas
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