Future Embassy
With the proliferation of information technology, a shift in power to people-to-people diplomacy means that it is corporations, civil society groups, cultural movements, and ideas that shape our perception of other nations. Diplomacy happens as much in the comment section of Reddit as it does in an embassy. Today, we are all ambassadors.
Background research was divided into three sections, guided by questions around understanding the role of diplomacy and the embassy, the relationship between Japan and Russia, and finally the Japanese position on diplomatic relationships.
Japan has a wealth of cultural exports, and the government built cultural embassies to showcase this through in London, LA, and Sao Paulo. Each "Japan House" is equipped with a gallery, theatre, retail floor, restaurant, and library, and hosts a variety of public programs.
The site of the embassy is in the cultural core of Moscow, across the street from Revolution Square, and facing Nikolskaya Street, a high traffic pedestrian street. In response to these urban conditions, a 2-sided building strategy that responds and connects the historic street on one side and a lively square was used.
By preserving the existing facade along Nikolskaya Street, the embassy respects the history of the site, and uses each of the 12 bays to organize the programmatic requirements of the embassy.
Areas that are open for public use are designed to be open and flexible, separated by a walkway from secured offices, workspaces, and the ambassador's quarters. Respectful of the existing context while enriching the area with additional community spaces, this embassy is built on a foundation of cultural exchange.
