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Architectural Design V-IX: (GD O.Lütjens / T.Padmanabhan)
Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:07:21
Abstract
In a time of polarisation and conflict, we want to open our house to continue the conversation.A Swiss Embassy is many things. It is the ambassador’s private home and as such, it belongs to the world of housing. It is also a government building that serves as a tool to represent Switzerland’s values and interests, a building for official meetings and events.
Objective
In a time of polarisation and conflict, we want to open our house to continue the conversation. A Swiss Embassy is many things. It is the ambassador’s private home and as such, it belongs to the world of housing. It is also a government building that serves as a tool to represent Switzerland’s values and interests, a building for official meetings and events. An embassy expresses the respect and appreciation for its host country. Today, with the old rule-based world order coming to an end, and democracy in worldwide retreat, Switzerland will need to make hard choices. Is Switzerland simply going to accept the new transactional logic of international relations or should the country use its soft power to advance values of democracy, equality and freedom of speech? How do we reconcile the embassy’s double role as a public building and as a private home? How can we move beyond conventional forms of representation that are typically based on the display of power and luxury? What does this mean for architectural form and expression? Who are we? How do we want to be seen? What is our voice? What is our language of architecture? In the design studio OUR HOUSE (2) we will work on the transformation and rebuilding of Swiss embassies on three continents.
Content
An embassy expresses the respect and appreciation for its host country. Today, with the old rule-based world order coming to an end, and democracy in worldwide retreat, Switzerland will need to make hard choices. Is Switzerland simply going to accept the new transactional logic of international relations or should the country use its soft power to advance values of democracy, equality and freedom of speech? How do we reconcile the embassy’s double role as a public building and as a private home? How can we move beyond conventional forms of representation that are typically based on the display of power and luxury? What does this mean for architectural form and expression? Who are we? How do we want to be seen? What is our voice? What is our language of architecture? In the design studio OUR HOUSE (2) we will work on the transformation and rebuilding of Swiss embassies on three continents.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- BSC
- Frequency
- Semesterly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| exercise |
Architectural Design V-IX: (GD O.Lütjens / T.Padmanabhan)
Permission from lecturers required for all students.
No course on October 20 and 21 (seminar week).
|
No time listed | 16 h weekly |