Building in the round. AJ Specification 04.2008

Publication Year

2008

Document Status

Current

Abstract

Focuses on the British Embassy in Algiers, Algeria by John McAslan and Partners. The new embassy is a three-storey hollow quadrant on a circular lawn within the grounds of the ambassador's residence. The ground floor tucks under the edge of the circular lawn and around its perimeter at ground level. The ground floor is the public zone where visitors are received. The two upper storeys contain offices which are lit by rooftop monitors and slit windows on the outer curve. The windows which face east are protected by two-storey high twisted planks of guariuba timber which act as vertical sunscreens. Local materials were used to achieve long-term simplicity and in order to reduce environmental impact and cost.

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