Thesis: Reconstructing Diplomacy

Reconstructing Diplomacy Stefan Kaiser B. Arch. Thesis Project Syracuse University School of Architecture Advisors - Martin Haettasch and Ryan Ludwig Citation for Excellence Ralph T. Walker Grant

Since the first American embassy was erected in Paris in 1931, embassies have been formal and symbolic centerpieces of American diplomacy. My project is an intervention on the existing embassy in Paris, because the site has historical significance and because it exemplifies a problem with American embassies all over the world: a disjunction between the embassy and the host city that creates friction, misunderstanding, and even violence. I contend that the interstitial space between the embassy building and the host city, can be redesigned to foster public engagement without sacrificing security. By extension, the embassy will then transition from its current status as aloof, obtrusive American political sanctum to become a facilitator of international cooperation and understanding on the ground.

Diplomatic buildings have a unique territorial, legal, and political status since they sit on patches of sovereign American land within a host nation. In Paris, the embassy sits on one of the city’s main thoroughfares, the Champs Elysees, and on the corner of the Place de la Concorde. A robust security zone buffers the embassy, intruding into the surrounding urban fabric and alienating the public. While the embassy might be a forum for official diplomatic discourse, it inconveniences and aggravates the public. As I see it, the American diplomatic mission begins at the furthest extent of the security perimeter. The interstitial space between the Parisian city streets and the highly secure diplomatic offices can be used to draw the public into the diplomatic discourse. I want to make the embassy more accessable to the citizens who, in the age of Internet, globalization and instantaneous worldwide communication, participate in international affairs in a way that was impossible 100 years ago. Technology has changed, the world has changed, the embassy must change with it. My project embodies transformation and integration of the embassy and the host city, acknowledging the inherent tension between the sovereign territories and mediating security concerns.

Berlin, Germany

London, England

The Interstitial The embassy is an alien territory carved out of an existing local fabric. This unique condition has evolved in response to increasing security threats and resulted in the growth of a buffer zone. The dense urban fabric has yielded complex forms in the expansion of the embassy territory and there is latent potential in this space for mutually accessible program to foster diplomatic cooperation. The interstitial space is articulated in these diagrams.

Paris, France (Site)

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Existing Perimeter 1234-

Rue Gabriel East Rue Gabriel West Rue Boissy D’Anglais Place de la Concorde

The perimeter surrounding the existing embassy is a fortifed threshold. While diplomacy is sanctioned to occur inside the physical building, the influence of the militarized perimeter negatively impacts the public space. Armed guards and anti-tank bollards should not be the first perception of the United States diplomatic post.

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Context Collages 1 - Historical Drawings / Sketches 2 - Historical Photos / Security The ‘line’ that marks the furthest extent of the security perimeter can be conceptually expanded to series of layers. These layers consist of trees, fences, bollards, existing facades, changes in material, etc. These collages are part of a series that characterize the effect of flattening the layers into an image. The components of the collage are historical photographs taken at the inauguration of the building in 1931. The drawings are from Jean-Jacques Gabriel’s plans for the Place de la Concorde. Hand sketches were drawn by the author during site visits.

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Existing Plan The series of layers is clearly visible in plan. The hatches illustrate security levels within the confines of the perimeter. The park space in front of the embassy was appropriated in the 1950’s. The Rue Boissy D’Anglais was appropriated during the 1990’s. In my view, the embassy begins at the furthest extent of the security perimeter.

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Reconstructed Plan The new embassy must allow for a push and pull. This is the essence of diplomacy and important to engaging the public in the space of the embassy. The focus of the intervention is on program and access. A culture center, business and tourist center, library, and cafe have all been embedded in the interstitial zone. Access by the public has been moved to the corner of the Place de la Concorde while the Foreign Service workers can access the building through a nondescript entrance on the alley.

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Plan Diagrams 1 - Security Elements 2 - Security Zones 3 - User Access Breaking down these diagrams reveals the actions of the intervention on the existing embassy. Instead of layering security and access like an onion I have started to overlap zones in order to create new opportunities for exchange.

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Second Plan Drawing Scale : 1/16

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Perspective Collage I Rue Boissy D’Anglais Library and Employee Access

Perspective Collage II Landscape Park Culture Center and Cafe

Perspective Collage III Place de la Concorde Public Access and Consular Services