THE EMBASSY OF SWITZERLAND

Settled in Songwol-dong since 1974, the Embassy of Switzerland, has been rebuilt and redesigned to better cope with its space limit and natural erosion. Its unique reinterpretation of a traditional Korean home has brought a sense of heritage back into the Donuimun area where the old yet classic sceneries of Korea had long been lost due to extensive modern renovation in and around the area.
This complex building, which serves as both an office building and a residence, is comprised of four wings and fundamentally follows the exterior structure of a traditional Korean house. The three-story building encompasses the yard that is completely covered with dark granite. It has a moderate spiral from the east to the west, and it resembles the evenly laid terrain of Songwol-dong.
The exterior of the building is an exposed concrete that appears to be heavy and hard; however, the interior that is facing the yard consists of a warm wooden structure with glass windows from floors to ceilings for a more accessible and flexible look. Somewhere between a European square and a front yard of a traditional Korean house, it sets out to gather people and communicate with them while overlooking the yard. The roof creates a shade that provides a space for the Embassy employees and visitors to avoid being exposed to the sun while allowing smooth,

interactions and switches between the interior and exterior of the Embassy building. In terms of materials, there is a clear contrast between the interior and exterior. The exterior wall is a dark structure composed of thin metal sheets, whereas the walls facing the yard are built with pale wood and glass materials. The roofing of zinc sheets looks like an extension of the exterior wall, adding more power to the impression of the building. The bearing structure of the facade has been inspired by the traditional Korean style. It is a curtain wall with mullion and transom that can be divided into various shapes and sizes of the module-based structures.
The new Embassy of Switzerland has both the familiarity with the Korean traditions and the exotic mood of a foreign country. It should be the case of vice versa for the Swiss living in the embassy building, the Little Switzerland in Korea. The modern and sophisticated exterior not only harmonizes with the high-rise buildings in the neighborhood, but also enriches the landscape with the nostalgic essence of the old town, bringing back the recollection of the past memories from something new.
Such blending of different yet harmonious elements certainly seems to be the most distinguished feature of this new Embassy of Switzerland. It is an interesting place where you can realize and contemplate about the diasporic identity of an embassy.