Residential & Hospitality/
All from Norwegian Embassy Kathmandu, Nepal

Norwegian Ambassador's Residence

Project information

  1. Location Kathmandu, Nepal
  2. Area880 m²
  3. Construction cost26 mill NOK

Project details

  1. Design by Kristin Jarmund Architects (now part of Nordic)
  2. Year2008 — 2012
  3. StatusCompleted
  4. Client Statsbygg
  5. Enquiries Graeme Ferguson
  6. Scope Residential design
    Security

Completed in 2008, the Norwegian embassy complex occupies a south-facing site overlooking the Himalayan mountains. Designed by KJ-A, the complex was originally constructed in the garden of the former embassy. The previous structure was subsequently demolished to make way for a new residence in 2012.

Located on an elevated plateau adjacent the new embassy complex, the new residence comprises a cube-like volume with an additional low-lying wing integrated within the ‘garden wall’ surrounding the main embassy complex. Designed to withstand earthquakes, the structure is a fusion of Scandinavian and Nepalese design and is connected to the main embassy complex via a sequence of enclosed, external spaces.

Due to security restrictions, we configured an internal courtyard with no external access. The ground level includes a formal reception space, whilst staff quarters and service spaces are placed around the perimeter wall. On the upper level, the main residence gives way to a generous and dramatic roof-terrace with spectacular views of the Himalayan mountains. Materially and formally, the design is interwoven with the main embassy complex to form a coherent and cohesive whole.