Work starts on new British Embassy in Warsaw
Media
12/05/2008
A formal ground breaking ceremony took place on 4th April on the site of the new British Embassy in Warsaw, Poland. Her Majesty's Ambassador was joined by representatives from the Polish government and the Warsaw diplomatic community alongside key members of the Mace design team.
Mace was appointed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in December 2005 with a remit to provide design and construction services on a worldwide programme of embassy projects.
Designed by Tony Fretton Architects, the project has undergone a site change and redesign since the practice was pronounced winner of the FCO's international design competition in 2003. As a result of the requirement for increased security, the project was relocated 1.6km from its original site to an area of the city devoted solely to embassies. The new site allows for greater distances between the building and boundaries.
The 4,300 square metre building has a simple form with a glass facade which provides substantial thermal insulation in winter and relieves heat in the summer. Arranged over three floors, the ground floor is reserved for public activities and features a large space for exhibitions and events in addition to a restaurant and bar which open onto landscaped grounds. The remainder of the ground floor is occupied by the consular and visa section, accessible by a separate route through the grounds. The administrative offices are located on the first and second floors. With two central courtyards and extensive glass facades, workspaces are amply lit by natural daylight and the second floor attic arrangement is bounded by roof terraces on both sides.
The project is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2009.
