Advanced technologies and consistent further development of base gypsum materials into complete construction systems have opened up a whole realm of new opportunities and possibilities for extensions and new buildings.
German Embassy, Washington, D.C.
Property
The German embassy in Washington stands with dignity and confidence on top of a green hill.
Task
The design by Oswald Mathias Ungers is based on a combination between the traditional and the modern. Particularly in the interior of the building, Ungers sets new standards by striving to create a building as a total work of art. Harmony, balance and regularity of form and detail serve to create spaces with elegant, tasteful aesthetics. Unger’s characteristic form style, the square and the rectangle, define the interior architecture.
Solution
Ungers utilized Knauf’s competence and expertise for the implementation of the sophisticated and extremely varied gypsum ceiling constructions. The jointless cradle vault in the reception hall of the embassy documents the intensive collaboration during the planning phase. The configuration of the integrated lamps as well as the air ventilation openings in the level edge region create an impression of panelling. The effect stems from precise planning and execution, from the preformed sub-construction to the building up of the shadow gaps which separate the square inserts from the ceiling surface. This also applies to the modular grid ceilings in the ladies and gentlemen’s rooms. They were pre-assembled entirely in Germany and then shipped to Washington.
Details
- Construction panel
Design:
- Architekturbüro Prof. Ungers, Cologne
- Philipp Holzmann AG, Ausbaubetriebe, headquarters Frankfurt/Main
