SESSION CHAIR: Jorge Otero Pailos

A significant portion of U.S. diplomacy relies on the stewardship of culturally significant properties in

foreign nations. Following World War II, the U.S. Department of State launched a program aimed at

advancing diplomacy through the design of its new Embassy buildings. American architects were tasked

with designing structures that not only harmonized with the host country’s culture and customs but also

projected a distinct ‘American’ identity to the world. This identity promoted the tenets of Modernism,

democracy, and the values of freedom and openness. During this period, several embassies were

constructed by notable architects. Over the last 50 years, changes to the political climate and the

resulting need for increased security made many of the original features that demonstrated this

openness and accessibility less apparent; many of the aesthetic, architectural and urban connections to

the local communities are now lost.

This session, sponsored by the US Department of State, Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO),

will explore stewardship within the context of diplomacy, highlighting two important buildings.

In Athens, Greece, the U.S. Embassy building designed by Walter Gropius was completed in 1961. OBO

has made the commitment to renew the building and site, balancing the sometimes-competing future-

looking programming and performance needs while preserving the integrity of the historic architectural

fabric. The renovation and renewal is being led by Boston based Annum Architects (formerly Ann Beha

Architects).

In Oslo, Norway, the U.S. Embassy building designed by Eero Saarinen was completed in 1959. OBO

made the determination that renewing the building was not viable without detrimental effects to the

original building. In 2017, it was acquired by a developer, Fredensborg, who oversaw an extensive

renovation. The building, now called the “Ambassaden” is mixed-use, with offices, restaurants and

events spaces. The restoration was led by Atelier Oslo and Lundhagem.

Both buildings involve significant restoration efforts, as well as modernization with new expansions that

respect the original buildings’ historic characters. We will use specific examples of key project features

to show how preservation, renewal and rehabilitation contribute to attaining stewardship objectives in

both project scenarios.

Jorge Salcedo, Office of Cultural Heritage OBO, Department of State

Katie Gerner AIA, Associate Principal, Annum Architects

Svein Lund, Architect, Founding Partner & Chairman, Lundhagem Arkitekter

Jonas Norsted, Parner/Architect, Atelier Oslo Arkitekter

Session Chair: Debora Barros

Iron in the Tropics: Standard Eiffel Markets in French Indochina

Adrien Boyette

Flat or Slanted Roof: Identity in Modern Tropical Architecture

Arief B. Setiawan

Tunisian modernist architecture challenged by the climate

Salma Gharbi