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- Sustainable Swiss embassies
- Switzerland, multilateralism and other celebrations in 2019
- Democracy Without Borders
- Switzerland's activities in Ukraine
- FDFA commitment to refugees and migration issues
- Swiss protecting power mandates for the United States and Cuba
- OSCE Chairmanship 2014
- Arab Forum on Asset Recovery
- Swiss efforts to protect children in armed conflicts
- 200 years of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Russia
- 150 years of Swiss humanitarian commitment
- World Day against the Death Penalty
- Gender equality and Women's rights
- 15 years of Swiss UN membership
- Switzerland commemorates the victims of the Holocaust
- Switzerland's position on the Middle East conflict
- Ukraine Reform Conference from 4–5 July 2022 in Lugano (URC2022)
- Sustainable Swiss embassies
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Leading by example – reports from the embassies
- Certified sustainable interior design in Abu Dhabi
- Mashrabiyas: a model of sustainable architecture in Algeria
- Solar power in Brazil: sustainable and cost-effective
- A comprehensive sustainability concept implemented in Australia
- The new Swiss embassy in Nairobi: a step towards sustainability
- Cooling with solar energy in India
- Certified sustainability in Costa Rica
- Renewable energy sources for the new embassy in Seoul
- Efficient waste management in Moscow: small changes with big impacts
- Mashrabiyas: a model of sustainable architecture in Algeria
Construction of the new Swiss embassy in Algiers was completed in 2013. The simple, elegant building combines Swiss architecture with Algerian construction and utilisation techniques as well as local materials. The combination of Algerian and Swiss traditions makes the new building perfectly suited to the local climatic conditions. The carefully planned building is an example of sustainable construction.
A building that combines tradition and sustainability
The three-storey pavilion was designed by one Algerian and two Swiss architects. The outer shell represents Algerian culture and is reminiscent of a mashrabiya, the decorative wooden latticework used in traditional Islamic architecture for lattice panels in mosques or for window grilles. The extensive irregular latticework in front of triple-glazed windows produces plenty of shade. This provides a natural way of keeping the temperature cool inside the pavilion, thus reducing the need for air conditioning. The special pattern produces the most shade when the sun is at its strongest. As well as cooling the building, the exterior façade with its special structure also provides protection against earthquakes. This is indispensable as the embassy is located in an earthquake zone.
The building materials used for the façade are also sustainable: the concrete consists of white granular material from the Algiers area and was poured on site in collaboration with local façade specialists. The lattice is made of galvanised steel. This prevents rusting and increases the structure's lifespan. The lattice motif and the local building culture are echoed inside the embassy. For example, the pavilion floor is made of cement using traditional local methods.
