Christian Richters
The main building's projecting roof comes into view even before the entry in the compound. Royal Embassy of the Netherlands, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (East Africa).
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. Royal Embassy of the Netherlands, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (East Africa).
Christian Richters
The roof landscape reminds the Dutch polder landscape. The concept is powerfully maintained when the rain falls. Royal Embassy of the Netherlands, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (East Africa).
Christian Richters
Royal Embassy of the Netherlands, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Christian Richters
The use of natural light constitutes a major source of design in this project. Royal Embassy of the Netherlands, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (East Africa).
Christian Richters
The Dutch embassy in Ethiopia lies on the southern outskirts of Addis Ababa in an eucalyptus grove set in amidst urban sprawl. Royal Embassy of the Netherlands, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (East Africa).
Christian Richters
The driveway passes through the building and divides it into two parts: the chancellary and the ambassador's residence. Royal Embassy of the Netherlands, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (East Africa).
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. Royal Embassy of the Netherlands, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (East Africa).
Christian Richters
The ample double-height porch created by this overhead plane accommodates the reception counter and certain consular functions. Royal Embassy of the Netherlands, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (East Africa).
Christian Richters
The concrete of the building is pigmented the same red-ochre as the Ethiopian earth. Royal Embassy of the Netherlands, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (East Africa).
Christian Richters
The horizontal volume of the main building sits on the ridge of sloping ground, adapting its base to the rest. Royal Embassy of the Netherlands, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (East Africa).
Christian Richters
Carefully dimensioned fenestration, patios and deep skylights allow in daylight without the glare of direct sun. Royal Embassy of the Netherlands, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (East Africa).
Christian Richters
The disposition of the elements is designed to create maximum privacy, as if the building stood alone in this natural setting. Royal Embassy of the Netherlands, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (East Africa).
Christian Richters
The concrete of the building is pigmented the same red-ochre as the Ethiopian earth. Royal Embassy of the Netherlands, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (East Africa).
Christian Richters
The ambassador's office and its waiting area are on the first floor of the eastern part of the chancellary. Royal Embassy of the Netherlands, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (East Africa).
Christian Richters
A ramped corridor flanked by offices climbs the gradient of the site. Royal Embassy of the Netherlands, Addis Ababa, Ethipia (East Africa).
Christian Richters
The project is intended to set an example for a sensitive and sustainable approach towards existing natural and landscape values in Ethiopia. Royal Embassy of the Netherlands, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (East Africa).
Christian Richters
The small school building and the staff housing mark the northern boundary of the site. Royal Embassy of the Netherlands, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (East Africa).
Christian Richters
Concept. Embassy of the Netherlands, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (East Africa).
AKTC
Floor plans. Embassy of the Netherlands, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (East Africa).
AKTC
Sections. Embassy of the Netherlands, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (East Africa).
AKTC
Entrance pavillion. Embassy of the Netherlands, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (East Africa).
AKTC
Staff housing. Embassy of the Netherlands, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (East Africa).
AKTC
Royal Embassy of the Netherlands
Award Cycle: 2005-2007 Cycle
Status: Award Recipient
Country of origin: Ethiopia
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Client: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Netherlands
Architect: Dick Van Gameren, Bjarne Mastenbroek
Size: 55'000 m²
Completed: 2005
The Royal Netherlands Embassy complex lies amidst the urban sprawl on the southern outskirts of Addis Ababa, enclosed within a dense eucalyptus grove. The architects’ guiding principle was to preserve and respect the topography of the surrounding landscape while addressing the functional requirements of a working embassy. They took care to maintain existing contour lines and leave the vegetation and wildlife undisturbed.
The main building, an elongated horizontal volume, cuts across the sloping terrain on an east–west axis. Walls, floors and ceilings are pigmented the same red-ochre as the Ethiopian earth and are uniformly composed of concrete, creating the effect of a cave-like space, reminiscent of the rock-hewn architecture of Ethiopia. By contrast, the roof garden with its network of shallow pools alludes to a Dutch water landscape.