Urban Concept

The plot of the new German embassy in Warsaw (the first building that Germany builds in Poland after its unification) is located in a privileged zone of the city, an area with parks and gardens, occupied by representative headquarters as the Polish Parliament, the Centre of Contemporary Art and more embassies.

A low urban density characterizes the set and on three sides, it enjoys beautiful views on the East bank of the Vistula River.

The embassy

The project includes in a unique building, the chancellor’s office and the ambassador’s residence. This is possible thanks to a big polyvalent space and a big terrace elevated among trees, used as a guests reception hall. It connects the two functions, the representative and the private one. The polyvalent area holds various convention halls and it expects to be an important cultural and meeting centre of the city.

Most of the existing trees have been preserved, in particular the species with important ecological contributions. Volumes allow the arrangement of gardens in two separated areas. In the very Southeast side, there is the public garden connected with the chancellor’s office. From there, crossing the wood, access to the embassy is covered. In the Northeast, the private garden is linked to the ambassador’s residence and the reception halls. From the exposition area it is possible to enjoy both of them.

The chancellor’s office entrance is in Jazdów street, and its building line goes along Nörduche Zufahrt street, just following symmetrically the school façade located on the opposite pavement. In the South zone, the residence is placed to gain a more domestic atmosphere, produced from the surrounding housing.

The connection to the embassy is realized crossing a security passage. Here, with an independent entrance, passports office takes place. The clarity of circulation paths and the functional distribution is fundamental throughout the entire project.

The chancellor’s office faces the garden through a big glazed space which filters light configuring the offices as a pleasant working space. It’s an administrative building designed with strict conditions of security, flexibility and comfort. On the contrary, the residence has a more domestic and ludic character.  A big terrace and a multi-purpose hall connect the two sectors with views on Warsaw and Vistula River.

Construction planning allows keeping the existing embassy in function. In the first phase of works, the chancellor’s office building is expected; in the second phase, the actual embassy is going to be demolished. The last phase plans to put up the ambassador’s residence.

The ancient embassy trace generates the garden framework (celebration awning, etc.).