Visa section of Swiss Embassy in Beijing / EXH Design

Visa section of Swiss Embassy in Beijing / EXH Design - ColumnVisa section of Swiss Embassy in Beijing / EXH Design - Windows, FacadeVisa section of Swiss Embassy in Beijing / EXH Design - Table, ChairVisa section of Swiss Embassy in Beijing / EXH Design - Windows, FacadeVisa section of Swiss Embassy in Beijing / EXH Design - More Images+ 10

  • Architects: EXH Design
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  213
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2009
  • Photographs
    Photographs: SHU He

Text description provided by the architects. The existing visa pavilion built in 1999 is a solid building in concrete and brick. It cannot meet the increasing request of visas any more. We were approached to enlarge the working areas and provide a fresh representation of Switzerland in China.

Visa section of Swiss Embassy in Beijing / EXH Design - Windows, Facade
© SHU He

The concept is to ‘see the history through the decade’. We keep the old brick building, which witnessed the accelerated pace of change in China; and extended it with a lightweight glass facade, through which the inside bricks still can be seen. Two kinds of architecture are overlapped in across time.

Visa section of Swiss Embassy in Beijing / EXH Design - Facade, Windows
© SHU He

The facade is an abstract collection of Chinese characters with Swiss simplicity, which hides the steel structure. Bamboo is used as exterior and interior material to indicate the context - China.

Visa section of Swiss Embassy in Beijing / EXH Design - Windows, Facade
© SHU He

Both, Chinese and Swiss visitors, will sense a familiar impression.

The existing building contents as today the waiting area for visitors, the counters and the offices of the Visa section. The extension contents additional offices, a small meeting room, a server room and toilets. An air lock and a canopy will be added to the visitors’ entrance.

Visa section of Swiss Embassy in Beijing / EXH Design - Column
© SHU He

The roof of the extension will be planted (extensive lawn system). for energy saving reasons floor and roof will be well insulated. Low-e glazing will be used in facade. A floor heating, ceiling cooling sys¬tem with ventilation for fresh air meet a high quality of comfort.

Visa section of Swiss Embassy in Beijing / EXH Design - Table, Chair
© SHU He

The existing pavilion and his extension will be fully supplied by the existing technical installations in the basement of the chancellery.

Visa section of Swiss Embassy in Beijing / EXH Design - Door, Windows, Chair, Column
© SHU He

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Project location

Address:Beijing, China

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Visa section of Swiss Embassy in Beijing / EXH Design" 25 Aug 2009. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/32292/visa-section-of-swiss-embassy-in-beijing-exh-design> ISSN 0719-8884

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