Eco And Egalitarian

Can a building represent a culture? Berrel Kräutler Architekten's sensitive renovation of the Embassy of Switzerland in Singapore stimulates discourse.

- Luo Jingmei

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.