Swiss Embassy Yaoundé: Ahead of their time

Caesar Zumthor and Philipp had already developed the idea of working together on projects during their studies, and despite taking different career paths, the thought never let them go. But that they would be commissioned to realise the Swiss Embassy in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on their very first collaborative venture was something they never could have anticipated. "We were fascinated by the idea of working outside our usual context," says Philipp Ryffel of Nord Architekten. "We simply enjoyed the creating the concept, but didn't really think we would actually win the competition." Nevertheless, they prevailed over some 100 other competitors – with a design that was radical by the standards of the early 2010s.

"During the design process, we engaged closely with local building traditions in Central Africa and explored the materials typically used there," explains Caesar Zumthor of Caesar Zumthor Architekten. "It wasn't a requirement for the brief, but we wanted to move away from Western design ideas." Instead, they drew on what has been standard practice in Cameroon for centuries: Climate-adapted construction with wide roof overhangs to shield against the sun and the rain. Timber wall structures to regulate the interior climate through air circulation. Re-use of materials to address the scarcity of resources. The approach was not met with universal enthusiasm, as the design did not conform to prevailing notions of what a modern, representative building should look like. Nevertheless, the responsible Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics ultimately opted for exactly that.

And times have changed. After the project was put on hold, nearly ten years passed before construction finally got underway. In the interim, perspectives on architecture, climate-conscious building, and culture have shifted profoundly worldwide. Today, involved people in Yaoundé are proud that the Swiss Embassy draws on local building traditions, says Caesar Zumthor, who visits the site regularly.

For Oxara, the delay proved to be a stroke of luck. Founded only in 2019, the company now supplies the activator required for the production of compressed earth blocks. Working with earth as a building material has been – and continues to be – a learning process for the architects as well. "You have to feel your way around the never-quite-uniform material properties and find the right applications for them," says Philipp Ryffel, with Caesar Zumthor adding: "But in return, the bricks give the building a quality all of its own – almost sacred in character." This quality, set against the vibrant embassy district of Yaoundé, reinforces the composed character of the building ensemble, which is intended to encourage dialogue and negotiation.

Now that construction is in full swing and the structures are rising, it is safe to say that the architects are not the only ones glad that the client chose their design. "Our idea of not only relying on Swiss precision, but also incorporating local culture and resources into the design may not have felt timely back then," says Philipp Ryffel. "Today, however, this discourse is everywhere – and we are pleased to have contributed to it."