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Swiss Embassy Residence - Oculus AIA Award

 

Article from Oculus AIA Award - Summer 2007
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Architecture HONOR

Architect: Steven Holl Architects and Ruessli Architekten AG
Project: New Residence of the Swiss Embassy, Washington, D.C.
Client: Swiss Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics

Completed in August 2006, the official residence of the Ambassador of Switzerland to the United States is more than just a private home ñ 70% if the residence was designed to accommodate private and public functions, from official meetings to exhibits and cultural events.

Sited atop a hill in the Woodley Park section of Washington, the 14,000-square-foot residence offers a rare view of the Washington Monument. The building's charcoal-color concrete and sand-blasted translucent structural glass planks were inspired by the snow-covered alpine mountains in Switzerland.

A diagonal line of overlapping spaces drawn through a cruciform courtyard plan was the conceptual starting point of a scheme that won and international competition over 10 other Swiss/American design teams. An arrival square, reflecting pool, reception courtyard, and herb garden are what visitors first see. Interior public areas consist of two formal dining rooms, three salons, a reception hall, and a stone terrace with city views. The upstairs private space is divided into three areas; living quarters for the Ambassador, two guest rooms, and two staff apartments.

The residence was designed and constructed according to the ecofriendly Swiss Minergie Standard. With regard to materials and energy consumption, the plan corresponds to LEED principles, the transparent and semitransparent glass on the south faÁade use passive solar energy, and a low-maintenance sedum green roof with PVC panels provides considerable energy savings and other green benefits. Other energy-saving measures include automated, sensor-equipped external window shades that close when it becomes too sunny or windy, to better regulate interior temperature.

"The client's environmental requirements and our interest in sustainable design were an ideal combination for making this an exemplary green building. The collaborative design process with Swiss architects, engineers, and consultants was very important, allowing for cross-pollination in many areas of environmental relevance."
Olaf Schmidt, Architect

"This is an elegant house. It's a fantastic project that is beautifully crafted, and it works sensitively and eloquently with materials as a basis for the architectural expression."
Jury

Holl/Russell Team: Steven Holl, AIA, Justin Ruessli (Design Architects), Olaf Schmidt, Stephen O'Dell (SHA Project Architects), Arnault Blou, Peter Englaender, Annette Goderbauer, Li Hu, Irene Vogt (SHA Project Team); Mimi Kueh (RA Project Architect), Andreas Gervasi, Philip Roosli, Rafael Schnyder, Urs Zuercher (RA Project Team)
Structural Engineers: A.F> Steffen Engineers; Robert Silman Associates
Mechanical Engineers: B+B Energletechnik AG; B2E Consulting Engineers
General Contractors: James G. Davis Construction; Niersberger Gebaudetecnik
Interior Design: ZedNetwork Hannes Wettstein
Landscape Architect: Robert Gissinger