Leveraging Traditional Art

Designed by Promontorio, the exterior of the Embassy of Egypt in Lisbon features geometric bas-relief patterns, inspired by traditional Egyptian motifs.

- Rima Alsammarae

The new Embassy of Egypt in the Portuguese capital has been designed by Promontorio to feature robust concrete walls covered with bas-relief patterns that are inspired by traditional Egyptian motifs. Located in Lisbon’s affluent Restelo district (where several neighbouring villas built in the 1940s and 50s have been converted for diplomatic use), the embassy was designed to fulfil the security criteria while incorporating symbolic references to Egypt’s culture and history within the architecture.

“Structures like embassies completely embody the notion of national identity,” said the architects at Promontorio. “It is just as much a harbour and safe haven for its citizens, as it is the state’s foreign representation at the highest level. It must combine the idea of sheltering and safety with the symbolic values of the country’s history and culture.”

The design, therefore, intended to bring together various principles, including modernity with timelessness, comfort and warmth with protocol and solemnity, quality and refinement with elegance and discretion, high technology with low-maintenance, and functionality with beauty.