In 2019 The Manser Practice won an invited competition to take the 10 year renovation project of the Germany embassy in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, from masterplan to completion. The project involves a number of extensions and refurbishments to existing buildings, as well as new-build offices, a visa application centre, and accommodation for diplomats and their families.
All buildings are specifically designed for the Ethiopian climate, and employ sustainable ideas such as natural ventilation, thermal mass, solar power for water heating and electricity, and large over-sailing roofs that protect from rainwater and reduce solar gain. They are all specified to be durable and low-maintenance, built using a robust material palette of fair-faced, ribbed and ‘thrown’ concrete; steel, and recycled white marble. Most materials and equipment can be bought and serviced locally, avoiding the need to fly in European engineers for routine maintenance work.
The first phase of the project, a security guardhouse and associated infrastructure works, was completed in June 2023.
