Amsterdam Academy of ArchitectureGraduation Projects 2014-2015Architecture

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Lars ZwirsThe European EmbassyNew Delhi, India

Architecture

The world is becoming increasingly smaller due to a process of globalisation and technological developments. To ensure that the relationships between the different countries proceed peacefully, the diplomatic services maintain a dialogue from their various embassies. Using knowledge of each other’s cultures and conscious of each other’s habits and customs, work is carried out to improve mutual understanding from these advanced posts.

The embassy building supports this dialogue. It calls for a hospitable, accessible and inviting building. However, the archetype has developed into the walled enclave with a defensive and distrusting character. Is there not another option?

The design consists of a 52,000m2 large building in which a chancery, residences and conference centre are combined. In light of the tendency of an increasing amount of European member states to join forces, I set myself the task of designing a ‘European embassy’ in New Delhi, which represents the entire European Union.

Like a city within a city, New Delhi is the green heart of the metropolis Delhi. The British architect Sir Edwin Luytens designed New Delhi in 1913. The parliament, the ministries and the embassy are included in one plan. It is best described as a large formal scenic garden, made up of broad axes. The trees packed together are like a green mass on these axes. The European embassy is located in one of these green masses..

When visiting the European embassy, the visitors enter the sculpture park, that is accessible from all sides. The foliage offers a cooling shadow against the burning sun. Walking past the fine art, the trees of the park change into columns; columns that keep the ground level clear by elevating the residences and chancery, so that the park can continue top run underneath the building. The gaps in the building allow the harsh sunlight to pass through up until the fountains. The glistening water creates a calm, relaxed atmosphere in the park. The air becomes cooler and more pleasant. The columns become thicker, the clearances become narrower. Arriving at the heart, the foyer unfolds. Welcome in the embassy.

The foyer of the embassy can be entered freely by everyone and from all directions. There is access to the basement from the foyer. The basement, which is kept out of the ground, consisting of conference rooms, exhibition spaces and a theatre, enables cultural knowledge exchange. In addition, one can gain access to the chancery from the foyer via the columns. The chancery is a fabric that can absorb the various member states like a sponge. Each country can display itself, as it sees fit, around a light well. The residences are elevated above the chancery. As a result, a shadowy square is created on the roof of the chancery. A transition between the formal works and the informal homes occurs on this square, which is equipped with sports facilities. In this way, it becomes possible for the ambassador to receive his guests in his home directly from the chancery in a more informal setting, where the guests can enjoy the beautiful view from the living room over the tree tops of the hundred-year-old city New Delhi, while having a snack or drink.

Graduation date21-05-2015

Commission membersChris Scheen (mentor) Ashok BhalotraHerman Zeinstra

Additional members for the examinationMariette AdriaanssenJan-Richard Kikkert

Lars ZwirsThe European EmbassyNew Delhi, India

Lars Zwirs

Architecture

New Delhi, government buildings Shantipath, embassy district New Delhi, formal axes structure Access

Construction

Safe zone

Functional stacking

The sculpture park

Local red sandstone

Transition square

Vertical organisation

Shadow up to the heart

New Delhi

Lars Zwirs

Access Foyer Construction principal Conference centre

Theatre

Chancery

Sports facilities

Residences

Solar power plant

A breathing facade

Water collection funnels in connection with wind towers

Natural ventilation

Architecture

The Dutch delegation Flexibility, diversity and identity Light well

The North-West lobby

Layer 2, Theatre Layer -1, Conference centre Layer 0, Sculpture park

Layer 1, Chancery Layer 3, Transition square Layer 4, Residences Layer 5, Solar power plant

Lars Zwirs

Transition square Roof view

Amsterdam Academy of Architecture

Architects, urbanists and landscape architects learn the profession at the Amsterdam Academy of Architecture through an intensive combination of work and study. They work in small, partly interdisciplinary groups and are supervised by a select group of practising fellow professionals. There is a wide range of options within the programme so that students can put together their own trajectory and specialisation.With the inclusion of the course in Urbanism in 1957 and Landscape Architecture in 1972, the Academy is the only architecture school in the Netherlands to bring together the three spatial design disciplines under one roof. Some 350 guest tutors are involved in teaching every year. Each of them is a practising designer or a specific expert in his or her particular subject. The three heads of department also have design practices of their own in addition to their work for the Academy. This structure yields an enormous dynamism and energy and ensures that the courses remain closely linked to the current state of the discipline. The courses consist of projects, exercises and lectures. First-year and second-year students also engage in morphological studies. Students work on their own or in small groups. The design

projects form the backbone of the syllabus. On the basis of a specific design assignment, students develop knowledge, insight and skills. The exercises are focused on training in those skills that are essential for recognising and solving design problems, such as analytical techniques, knowledge of the repertoire, the use of materials, text analysis, and writing. Many of the exercises are linked to the design projects. The morphological studies concentrate on the making of spatial objects, with the emphasis on creative process and implementation. Students experiment with materials and media forms and gain experience in converting an idea into a creation. During the periods between the terms there are workshops, study trips in the Netherlands and abroad, and other activities. This is also the preferred moment for international exchange projects. The Academy regularly invites foreign students for the workshops and recruits wellknown designers from the Netherlands and further afield as tutors. Graduates from the Academy of Architecture are entitled to the following titles: Architect, Master of Science; Urbanist, Master of Science and Landscape Architect, Master of Science.