On touching the half-century mark the Swiss Embassy opened their premises to the public. Rakesh kumar takes a walk
On completion of 50 years in Delhi, the Swiss Embassy organised a curated walk through its building and the Ambassador’s residence. As part of the Open House Day, on the year of Swiss Architecture, Design and Engineering in India, the celebration was organised jointly by the Embassy of Swiss in India and Pro Helvetia, the Swiss Arts Council in India.
For the first time, the Swiss Ambassador opened the newly refurbished residence to visitors on 16 November. During the guided walk, the embassy officials shared some of the secrets of their architecture with the general public. Located in the Diplomatic Enclave in Chanakyapuri, the building symbolises and stands for the strong bond that India and Switzerland have shared through these years.
“Instantly after Independence, Switzerland was among those countries that took initiative to start a good relationship and came up with an embassy,” the guide explained. “It was inaugurated in the presence of the then Prime Minister of India Pt Jawaharlal Nehru on 4th July 1963.”
Starting from the office, showing the embassy’s work culture, the walk took visitors to the guesthouse and the residence of Ambassador, ending at the staff quarters. After taking a look at the architecture, one would found that most part of the building was designed to keep make it climate friendly. “It was designed by Swiss architect Hans Hofmann and realised posthumously by his young collaborator Walter Rüegg. You will hardly see any construction that have been done for decoration and every bit of construction has its own importance,” informed the guide.
The wonderful evening at the embassy concluded with Sound Reasons, a contemporary jazz and electronic music by Andy Guhl, Jasch (Switzerland) and Ish Sherawat (India).
On completion of 50 years in Delhi, the Swiss Embassy organised a curated walk through its building and the Ambassador’s residence. As part of the Open House Day, on the year of Swiss Architecture, Design and Engineering in India, the celebration was organised jointly by the Embassy of Swiss in India and Pro Helvetia, the Swiss Arts Council in India.
For the first time, the Swiss Ambassador opened the newly refurbished residence to visitors on 16 November. During the guided walk, the embassy officials shared some of the secrets of their architecture with the general public. Located in the Diplomatic Enclave in Chanakyapuri, the building symbolises and stands for the strong bond that India and Switzerland have shared through these years.
“Instantly after Independence, Switzerland was among those countries that took initiative to start a good relationship and came up with an embassy,” the guide explained. “It was inaugurated in the presence of the then Prime Minister of India Pt Jawaharlal Nehru on 4th July 1963.”
Starting from the office, showing the embassy’s work culture, the walk took visitors to the guesthouse and the residence of Ambassador, ending at the staff quarters. After taking a look at the architecture, one would found that most part of the building was designed to keep make it climate friendly. “It was designed by Swiss architect Hans Hofmann and realised posthumously by his young collaborator Walter Rüegg. You will hardly see any construction that have been done for decoration and every bit of construction has its own importance,” informed the guide.
The wonderful evening at the embassy concluded with Sound Reasons, a contemporary jazz and electronic music by Andy Guhl, Jasch (Switzerland) and Ish Sherawat (India).
