FIRST PRIZE
NORWEGIAN EMBASSY TO GERMANY
Berlin, Germany
The Norwegian embassy constitutes an integral part of the joint Nordic embassy complex situated on the Tiergarten in the heart of Berlin. In a very limited amount of space, the design includes several important social considerations for the employees without compromising the efficiency and flexibility of the plan. Corridors, lobbies and conference areas are designed in conjunction with daylight and views and the addition of a garden atrium to the north of the building creates a controlled yet contemplative environment.
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One aspect of Norway which is unique among the Nordic countries is the quality of verticality that can be found in the fjords, mountains and tall forests throughout the landscape. This idea as an architectural expression can be found in many traditional Norwegian buildings and is further translated into the new embassy’s south facade, which is composed of single, monumental slice of grey Norwegian granite. This monolithic stone weighs approximately 120 tons and is over 14 meters tall, 5 meters wide and up to 70 centimeters thick. The vertical design of this facade is created in such a way as to provide a focus within the courtyard without breaking unity of the scheme within the copper band wall.
The eastern and western facades of the new Norwegian embassy are covered with glass screens, which act as a filter between the courtyard and the interior spaces, and give the building a feeling of coolness resembling the coolness of the Norwegian glaciers. This feeling contrasts with the warm feeling achieved in the interior spaces using warm colors, and materials, as wood. The glass screens also match with the copper band wall integrating the building with the whole complex.
NORWEGIAN EMBASSY, BERLIN, GERMANY
Christoph Kapeller as founding partner of Snøhetta and project designer from 1995-1996
Scope: First Prize Invited Competition: full design services
Client: Staatsbyg, Norwegian State Building Authority
Size: 20,000 SF
Budget: $ 4.3 million
Year: 1999
Project Type: institutional