British Embassy

Tbilisi, Georgia

Photo © Dennis Gilbert

Architects: ORANGE BLU

Location: Tbilisi, Georgia
Year: 2010

Along with rigorous security regulations, the local topography greatly influenced the arrangement of the new British Embassy in Georgia. Located at the foot of a hillside, the ambassador‘s residence is situated at the higher end of the site affording impressive views over the city. Corresponding to our design philosophy of using locally sourced materials where possible, the main façade material of the Embassy is of Georgian basalt stone. The Ambassador‘s residence is clad in perforated aluminium panels which reference ‘timber screens’ found on historic Georgian houses. Behind the perforated facade is a red pigmented insulating system which adds depth, colour and contrast to the elevation. General access to the Embassy building is provided from the valley side at the lower end of the site. Visitors to the embassy, pass through the security gates under a large pergola and cross the entrance courtyard to arrive at the ’Visa Hall’. Employees of the embassy enter separately into the rectangular courtyard and proceed into the internal ‘Atrium’, from where they can access the public areas on the „piano nobile“ floor via an open staircase.