The Swiss Residence, a 2001 competition-winning collaboration between Steven Holl and Swiss firm Rüssli Architects, will be unveiled to the public on September 16. Press release and photos follow...








Washington, D.C. – The Swiss Residence in Washington, D.C. by Steven
Holl Architects and Rüssli Architects will open on September 16, 2006.
The official residence of the Swiss Ambassador to the United States in
Washington, D.C. is a cultural institution that demonstrates national
architectural and artistic qualities. In addition it is an extension of
the Swiss Embassy’s work space and will be used for official functions.
It is estimated that the residence will hold approximately 400 working
events and host over 3000 guests annually.



Steven Holl Architects, in collaboration with the Swiss firm Rüssli
Architects, won the anonymous competition over ten other Swiss-American
architectural partnerships in 2001. The design was unanimously selected
for its central concept of moving diagonally through space.







Sited on a hill with a direct view to the Washington Monument in the
distance, the building’s design is based on overlapping spaces drawn
through a cruciform courtyard plan. From the entrance hall, one can see
diagonally through the building to the terrace and from the terrace on
to the Monument.







The residence is positioned on a plateau with an arrival square, a
reflecting pool, a reception courtyard and an herb garden. Among the
public areas are two formal dining rooms, three salons, one reception
hall and a stone terrace that offers spectacular views of Washington,
D.C. Each of these functions connects directly to an outdoor space that
can accommodate groups up to 200 people. The private areas are located
on the second floor and include the Ambassador’s living quarters, two
guest rooms and staff rooms.



The materiality of the residence is an important feature of the design.
The building’s charcoal color concrete and sand-blasted translucent
structural glass planks were inspired by the black rocks and white snow
of the Swiss Alps. The floors are made of black terrazzo and dark
stained bamboo, a highly renewable resource.



Steven Holl Architects constructed the residence according to Swiss
“Minergie Standards,” a higher level than the US Council for Green
Building’s LEED standards, to keep overall energy consumption low.
While the south façade use passive solar energy, the low maintenance
“sedum” green roof with PVC panels provides considerable energy savings
by serving as a fifth green façade.



A media tour by Steven Holl, Justin Rüssli, and Ambassador Ziswiler
will take place on September 16 at 10:30 a.m. To register, contact
Priya Doshi at 202-745-7920 or priya.doshi@eda.admin.ch