Projects

French Diplomatic Campus, Nairobi

The design of an embassy is greatly influenced by the challenge of meeting high-level security needs, while still being welcoming. In a geopolitical climate that is increasingly unstable, security aspects are, by necessity, a dominant factor, and these constraints weigh heavily on the layout and architecture of the spaces. Even so, the embassy must continue to express the universal values of French culture: one that is open to the world, welcoming, and that protects human rights, serving French citizens and its host country.


This is the foundation of our project, offering an open design that is closely tied to the surroundings. It is characterized by specific constraints, using a spatial organization where architecture and landscape are built on a "closed courtyard" concept, with geometry that provides a barrier that surrounds spaces that are both protected and welcoming.


Program
Construction of the French diplomatic campus: embassy, residence of the ambassador, housing

Client
French Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Location
Nairobi, Kenya

Design team
TERRENEUVE architects, representative
Pharos architects, associate architects, Nairobi; Phytolab, landscape designers; Quantimax, economics; CETIS, structural engineers; Cap Ingelec, MEP engineers

Surfaces and construction cost
3224m2 HO / 9.32M€ HT

Timeline
Delivery 2017

Missions
Design and supervision + EXE
LEED Gold certification

Photos ©TERRENEUVE