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The Embassy of Switzerland in Singapore sits on lush grounds. Located in Bukit Timah, it also enjoys the wider view of matured trees along the main road and the further surroundings. The original administration building, constructed in 1984, had the charm of a Modernist bungalow with tropically attuned elements, set in a park-like environment.
The Swiss government had acquired the site from the neighbouring Swiss Club on a 99-year lease in 1983. There are also four service flats and a staff house on the plot, linked by landscaped pathways to the administration building. In 2024, Zurich-based Berrel Kräutler Architekten completed a renovation of the latter, which retains its existing intimate qualities but has updated functionality and a modern appearance. The Swiss firm was the winner among 54 entrants in a competition.
The renovation was done to cater for more working areas as new staff were being posted to the island to provide for growing bilateral ties in many areas of mutual interest, as well as to increase space for the offices of the Swiss Business Hub, Switzerland Tourism and the defence attaché. The idea was to put all of them under the umbrella of the Swiss Embassy in Singapore.
Aside from lack of sufficient space, the original building was also showing signs of wear and tear after 35 years in tropical weather. The renovation works were subtle but respectful and impactful. The original square plan was expanded to incorporate a new wing on one side, while the parameter edges were pushed one-metre outwards, and half-height glass windows replaced by full-height ones. The internal office area was tripled.
Embracing openness
A protruding corner at the original roof disrupted the neatness of the square pavilion building. In the new scheme, the disparate roof elements were amalgamated into one large element, read as a thick, swooping cap whose tip soars upward at the driveway. This singular gesture is genius in heralding the main entrance; the ‘opening’ form also embodies the openness and transparency that Switzerland is known for.
The rectangular roof demarcates a new conference wing, adjoined to the existing block. In it are two meeting rooms and a pantry, which offers outdoor views during break time. This is also an adaptable space. The Swiss Embassy can now hold public events on its grounds using this area; formerly, external venues had to be sourced for public events due to lack of space. A secondary glass entrance allows guests to enter from the drop off. Events can also spill out to a new sheltered foyer.
This zone is the most public part of the building, alongside the reception area that links to the offices of Switzerland Tourism, accessed through fluted glass doors. Formerly, the latter was located in the basement where there was limited natural light. Having shifted this space to the first storey, there is now more car parking space underground. The staff facilities, such as the toilets, were also expanded, with a room given for nursing staff.
On the palette, project architect Jaime Rodriguez shares, “We were looking for the most transparent appearance possible; we achieved this by means of a high-quality, low-iron glazing. For the monolithic appearance of the rest of the elements, we achieved by means of white-painted, joint-free fibre cement panels.”
The internal palette was inspired by the surrounding gardens. “The precision with which the materials have been proposed, the clarity of the design and the use of materials such as Oak and Swiss Andeer stone are reminiscent of Swiss architecture and architectural culture,” says Rodriguez.
He elaborates, “This, in combination with the use of the classic furniture of Swiss origin, gives the building a particular and unusual character for Singapore, reminiscent of the building traditions and craft processes of Swiss architectural culture.”
Well-thought out
By reusing the original structure rather than tabula rasa, this project is exemplary of the contemporary Swiss architectural approach, as well as a sustainable mindset. An original courtyard in the centre, open to the sky, brought in light and a sense of the outdoors. Berrel Kräutler Architekten’s scheme acknowledged this vital idea and retained it.
“From the beginning of the building design process, Singapore’s climatic situation was taken into account. The deep roofs decreased solar radiation inside the building. We also used very well-insulated glazing. Thanks to the large glass surfaces, we could reduce the use of artificial light inside the building to a minimum. By having photovoltaic panels, we further reduced the use of electricity,” Rodriguez explains.
On many levels, the building’s ecological aspects make it an egalitarian one. Here, all staff enjoy natural light and bucolic scenery, as well as user-friendly spaces and well-designed furniture – basic tenets of a positive work environment.
