EMBASSY OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC ADDIS-ABABA ETHIOPIA

NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY, AWKA ANAMBRA STATE

Project idea

The project idea was based on the philosophy of ying yang, a concept that describes how seemingly opposite forces interconnect and become a whole; while retaining its individual natural characteristics and function. therefore the authors designed an embassy complex that took into consideration the various zones and functions to be carried out and their requirements, combining similar functions, and separating opposing function in line with the ying yang philosophy, hence creating separate functional units that interconnect.
The site was zoned with the offical, economic and technical facilities placed in the public area, while the representative area and staff residences placed in a secured zone, with security restrictions.
The facades of the buildings within the embassy complex was designed, taking into cognizance the typological attributes of each building type, hence the main embassy building and consular and visa department buildings, which houses most the embassy's offices, was treated to have an office typology, with vertical shading devices, light weight materials such as aluminum panels and glazed curtain wall in order to bring in natural day lighting deep into the interior spaces, while using polyvinylcholride (pvc) as thermal breaks to limit excessive thermal conductivity.
The residences, was treated to have a residential appeal with block wall and clay brick vernier finish to further enhance indoor thermal temperature and give a more tropical feel, make the residential buildings cool and enhancing privacy, as well as giving a favorable return on investment, of up to 15 years, as they are durable materials.
The recreational facilities was position as a common meeting place between the representative residence and embassy staff residence, taken into consideration solar influence on its orientation.
the site planing was done using the ying ayng concept . The embassy complex
was design taking into consideration the various zones and functions to be carried out and their requirements, the residences where seperated from the official buildings and connected by means of linking road of asphalt surfacing and raised walk way precast concrete finish, hence creating separate functional units that interconnect.
The glass dome was ventilated by a passive means , through the use of vent on base of the dome, so that hot air can escape through it and allow for fresh cooler air to come in
The structural system utilized in the embassy building design is the framed structural system, with the adoption of lightweight material, such as glass panel, aluminum composite boards to subdivide interior spaces

Project description

The embassy complex was designed to house the following functional units respectively; the official embassy building, the residence; the consular and visa office; apartment building for embassy staffs; and the building for local workforce.
The embassy main building was designed to have a ground floor, containing entrance halls, meeting rooms and representative spaces. the upper floor houses office section A, which serves the staffs of the ministry of foreign affairs, while the second floor housed office sections B,C and D.
The representative residence contained, a dining, kitchen, living room , garages for two cars, with vertical roller shutter door controlled by remote control.
also contained in this work includes
the residences containing 3 number 2+1 apartments on the ground floor,
3 number 3+1 apartments on the first floor, 2 number 4+1 apartments and 2 number courier apartments on the second floor.
Furthermore, two porter's lodge was placed on the the site, with other barriers placed to control movements to restricted areas of the site.
Also recreational facilities such as tukul, swimingpool, 1 tenis court and a representative garden was created

Technical information

structural system: framed structure
structural element:

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