The Embassy of Belgium in Athens is housed in the three lower levels of a prestigious, late 1960’s apartment building. The scheme aims at creating a ‘storefront’ for Belgium in the centre of Athens.
The new façade is open, transparent, interactive, as well as protective. Behind the full height, clear structural glazing with its stainless steel foldable protective screen, a lighting strip negotiates the transition between outside and inside. During after hours, the illuminated façade marks the embassy’s presence and literally render the arcade with the colours of Belgium. Technically, the entire glazing is designed to withstand acts of vandalism and security threats.
The proposed reorganization of the interiors aims at creating a welcoming, open, well defined public space to flexibly cater for various events and uses. The main elements of the proposed plan are: the front entrance area -the Vestibule- which is intended as a multifunctional public space, the second threshold, the ‘grey box’ incorporating the space for the Receptionist’s Office and the Security Portal, and the staircase area with the lift lobby.
The materials have been selected for their quality, durability, performance and elegance, with their list being purposely limited: white marble for the flooring with reference to the existing. Grey ‘Eternit’ panels for the Receptionist Area and the Security Portal, for its crispness, lightness, ready-made quality and easy assembly. Clear bullet proof glazing, for security reasons and stainless steel finishes for the architectural ironmongery for their elegance, durability and material expression.
location Athens, Greece
built area 150 m²
design team Stephan Buerger, Dimitra Katsota, Tassos Govatsos, Flavian Lekkas, Mladen Stamenic
client Kingdom of Belgium, Federal Public Service – Foreign Affairs
photographer Charalambos Louizides
address Sekeri 3, Athens – Greece
design year 2009
completion year 2012
BELGIAN EMBASSY BUERGER – KATSOTA ARCHITECTS
BELGIAN EMBASSY BUERGER – KATSOTA ARCHITECTS
BELGIAN EMBASSY BUERGER – KATSOTA ARCHITECTS
BELGIAN EMBASSY BUERGER – KATSOTA ARCHITECTS
BELGIAN EMBASSY BUERGER – KATSOTA ARCHITECTS
BELGIAN EMBASSY BUERGER – KATSOTA ARCHITECTS
BELGIAN EMBASSY BUERGER – KATSOTA ARCHITECTS
BELGIAN EMBASSY BUERGER – KATSOTA ARCHITECTS
BELGIAN EMBASSY BUERGER – KATSOTA ARCHITECTS
BELGIAN EMBASSY BUERGER – KATSOTA ARCHITECTS
BELGIAN EMBASSY BUERGER – KATSOTA ARCHITECTS
BELGIAN EMBASSY BUERGER – KATSOTA ARCHITECTS
BELGIAN EMBASSY BUERGER – KATSOTA ARCHITECTSREAD ALSO: STIRLING PRIZE 2012: SAINSBURY LABORATORY / STANTON WILLIAMS