Swiss Embassy London
:mlzd
The Swiss Embassy in London, part of the historic Marylebone district, is about to undergo a major restructuring. The existing building from 1971, partially listed, has functional, energetic and structural defects after more than 50 years of operation and requires repairs. In order to meet today's requirements, a new spatial program is to be created that offers space for the embassy, Switzerland Tourism, semi-public rooms with flexible use, representative rooms and official apartments. The aim of the project is to take the cultural, economic and political context of the host country into account at a high architectural level and at the same time to represent Swiss values such as cosmopolitanism and modernity in a self-confident, reserved, precise and elegant manner.
The open project competition
The Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics (FOBL) has announced an open project competition to find innovative and outstanding solutions for the restructuring of the Swiss embassy. Architects and planners were asked to deal with the existing building and its context and to develop a new architectural concept that meets the demands of functionality, aesthetics and sustainability. The jury, made up of renowned experts including Jodok Brunner as Chair, Jonathan Sergison, An Fonteyne and Thomas Padmanabhan, will carefully review the submitted projects and select the winning project.
A new face for the Swiss embassy
With the restructuring of the Swiss embassy, the aim is not only to remedy the functional defects, but also to create a new architectural highlight. The building should fit harmoniously into the cultural, economic and political context of the host country and at the same time reflect Swiss identity. The design should be modern and contemporary without losing the Swiss character. The new premises are designed to convey a sense of cosmopolitanism and elegance, while at the same time serving the needs of the embassy and its various functions.