Embassy of Portugal in Berlin

General Info

Area: -
Client: Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Architecture: inês lobo - arquitectos, Lda

Details

The Chancellery and Residence building of the Portuguese Embassy in Germany will be built in Berlin's Tiergarten. 

The architectural design defined large spaces and a vast inner atrium, in a free area of approximately 30 by 30 m. The team responsible for the project had to meet all the requirements set out in the German Building Regulations. These differ considerably from the Portuguese ones, mainly due to their more severe climate.

The significant differences were most evident in various aspects of hydraulic engineering. Despite the existence of a high water table, they did not allow the use of pumping. This meant that the underground structures had to be designed as watertight structures.

The roof and gutters are heated to prevent snow accumulation and freezing of the drainage pipes. The hot water supply network has, on the longest pipe runs, a secondary heating system, via an electrical system.