Italian Ambassy in Nairobi
Limuru Road, Nairobi. Kenya
TITLE
Competition by invitation for the design of the new headquarters of the Embassy of Italy in Limuru Road, Muthaiga district in Nairobi
CLIENT
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy
TYPE OF INTERVENTION
Project
SURFACE
10.250 mq
STATE
Project
Intervening in a site rich with naturalistic allure, such as the area selected for the construction of the new Italian Embassy in Nairobi, entails addressing key themes of contemporary architecture, foremost among them the ability to identify the distinctive features of the territory and fully enhance its potential.
The design for the new Italian Embassy in Nairobi aspires to create an ideal bridge between the two countries, uniting the urban traditions of Italy—characterized by piazzas, porticoes, and palazzi with expansive shaded courtyards and gardens—with the natural beauty of the Kenyan landscape, marked by lush vegetation and warm earth tones. The resulting complex will be a unique and globally recognizable place, a De Chirico-esque glimpse onto Africa’s sunlit horizons.
A De Chirico-esque glimpses open onto the sunny African horizons
The concept envisions the layout as a grand tree, with its trunk represented by a monumental staircase, branching out into expansive canopies. These canopies, formed by spacious panoramic terraces at various levels, are connected by ramps and stepped paths reminiscent of historical Italian gardens. Within these terraces, like noble fruits, rise the buildings that house institutions dedicated to promoting Italian culture worldwide.
The pavilions rest on descending terraces, beginning at the lowest level with the Piazza Italiana and culminating at the highest level with the Italian Cultural Institute and the Embassy. This multi-tiered arrangement aligns with the objectives of the DPP, respects the terrain’s natural contours, and enables the architecture to blend harmoniously with the surrounding landscape.
The first terrace hosts the Piazza Italia and a service building with a refreshment area for office use. Drawing inspiration from Italian historical architecture and the intimate spaces of cloisters and porticoes, the Piazza Italia is conceived as a monumental courtyard, encircled by a contemporary reinterpretation of a stoa. This enclosure defines an open yet covered space centered around a large water feature containing a prominent sculptural group symbolizing Italian identity. The colonnade, segmented by orthogonal walls, creates varied sightlines and delineates areas for covered walkways, rest spaces, and site-specific installations. Strategically positioned at the entrance to the cascading system, the Piazza Italia becomes a symbol of welcome to Italy—a place imbued with artistic inspiration where visitors can enjoy a privileged cultural experience.
The project employs a meticulous understanding of traditional craftsmanship and the skillful use of local materials, combined with an integrated design approach utilizing sustainable technologies and alternative structural solutions. These measures refine architectural and technical choices to align with specific regulations and address diverse and complex functional requirements. The commitment to proposing an ecologically responsible and sustainable architecture has led to tested and reliable design decisions aimed at reducing energy consumption and minimizing operational costs.
Credits
DESIGN ARCHITECTS Guendalina Salimei – Tstudio
STRUCTURE Akkad Società di Ingegneria
MEP Ai Engineering
3D Views
TStudio
Published in
Riciputo A., Arcamone S., Torre G., Guendalina Salimei. La cultura della cura condivisa. In: “Social Cohesion” di OFARCH n.158/2022 pp. 52-67.
Italian Ambassy in Nairobi
Limuru Road, Nairobi. Kenya
TITLE
Competition by invitation for the design of the new headquarters of the Embassy of Italy in Limuru Road, Muthaiga district in Nairobi
CLIENT
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy
TYPE OF INTERVENTION
Project
SURFACE
10.250 mq
STATE
Project
Intervening in a site rich with naturalistic allure, such as the area selected for the construction of the new Italian Embassy in Nairobi, entails addressing key themes of contemporary architecture, foremost among them the ability to identify the distinctive features of the territory and fully enhance its potential.
The design for the new Italian Embassy in Nairobi aspires to create an ideal bridge between the two countries, uniting the urban traditions of Italy—characterized by piazzas, porticoes, and palazzi with expansive shaded courtyards and gardens—with the natural beauty of the Kenyan landscape, marked by lush vegetation and warm earth tones. The resulting complex will be a unique and globally recognizable place, a De Chirico-esque glimpse onto Africa’s sunlit horizons.
A De Chirico-esque glimpses open onto the sunny African horizons
The concept envisions the layout as a grand tree, with its trunk represented by a monumental staircase, branching out into expansive canopies. These canopies, formed by spacious panoramic terraces at various levels, are connected by ramps and stepped paths reminiscent of historical Italian gardens. Within these terraces, like noble fruits, rise the buildings that house institutions dedicated to promoting Italian culture worldwide.
The pavilions rest on descending terraces, beginning at the lowest level with the Piazza Italiana and culminating at the highest level with the Italian Cultural Institute and the Embassy. This multi-tiered arrangement aligns with the objectives of the DPP, respects the terrain’s natural contours, and enables the architecture to blend harmoniously with the surrounding landscape.
The first terrace hosts the Piazza Italia and a service building with a refreshment area for office use. Drawing inspiration from Italian historical architecture and the intimate spaces of cloisters and porticoes, the Piazza Italia is conceived as a monumental courtyard, encircled by a contemporary reinterpretation of a stoa. This enclosure defines an open yet covered space centered around a large water feature containing a prominent sculptural group symbolizing Italian identity. The colonnade, segmented by orthogonal walls, creates varied sightlines and delineates areas for covered walkways, rest spaces, and site-specific installations. Strategically positioned at the entrance to the cascading system, the Piazza Italia becomes a symbol of welcome to Italy—a place imbued with artistic inspiration where visitors can enjoy a privileged cultural experience.
The project employs a meticulous understanding of traditional craftsmanship and the skillful use of local materials, combined with an integrated design approach utilizing sustainable technologies and alternative structural solutions. These measures refine architectural and technical choices to align with specific regulations and address diverse and complex functional requirements. The commitment to proposing an ecologically responsible and sustainable architecture has led to tested and reliable design decisions aimed at reducing energy consumption and minimizing operational costs.
Credits
DESIGN ARCHITECTS Guendalina Salimei – Tstudio
STRUCTURE Akkad Società di Ingegneria
MEP Ai Engineering
3D Views
TStudio
Published in
Riciputo A., Arcamone S., Torre G., Guendalina Salimei. La cultura della cura condivisa. In: “Social Cohesion” di OFARCH n.158/2022 pp. 52-67.