The new US Embassy, ​​the architectural secrets of the building that expresses commitment to Kosovo

On the anniversary of the independence of the United States of America, on July 4 of this year in Pristina, the new building of the American Embassy was inaugurated, which is considered a physical manifestation of a stable partnership between the USA and Kosovo.

This gigantic facility of the American Embassy in Pristina, which is also the largest in the Balkans, was designed by David Brody Bond Architects and Planners.

The American State Department consolidated its diplomatic mission in Kosovo in a new location of 5 hectares in the "Arbëria" neighborhood. In a safe and stable space, the American Embassy building represents the commitment of the United States to Kosovo.

The American Embassy in Kosovo is not quite ordinary, as it is not only the place where they will be provided with visas, but there is also a residence for the troops of the American Navy.

The US Embassy campus consists of a five-story business tower, conference center, Marine residence and integrated warehouse. The design of the tower has the north and west facades, which are mainly built of stone, with internal windows, while the south and east facades are glass, with an external sun shelter system.

Immediately at the official entrance of this building, you can see that stones from Gjakova were used for construction. Further, the quality and combination of local art and craft can be observed, especially the models with organic influence of the traditional Kosovar material, which had an impact on the design of panels with holes for protection from the sun on the facades of the conference pavilion.

The combination of the traditional Kosovar culture with the American one expresses the embassy's diplomatic goal, which is to respect the local culture of the host country and to be hospitable to all the people of Kosovo.

The interior of the embassy facility has been designed to enable as much cooperation as possible and to facilitate modern and transparent diplomacy.

The internal working environment is composed of stable spaces that enable high performance and a range of configurations.

Zeinah Salahi, the deputy director of USAID, said that we are trying to help build the same policies in all government institutions.

"USAID is trying to increase accountability throughout Kosovo, both for the government and the people. For us, this means working on improving institutions, helping Kosovo to build a strong democratic foundation, looking at the rule of law and increasing transparency for everyone. We are also trying to increase democratic and economic opportunities for all of Kosovo. For us this means helping to build consistent policies across government institutions, seeking to build an environment that supports a strong private sector, business and investment climate for all people who come and invest in this country. beautiful. And above all, it helps us to invest in the youth, causing without the youth what the future is," he said.

The Embassy has a permanent art collection, overseen by the Art Office, which includes 25 works of art in various formats; paintings, clay, glass, steel, wood and photographs created by American and Kosovar artists. In this form, the cultural ties between Kosovo and the USA are shown.

There is something very special, it is the artwork of the American Diana Al Hadid, which was inspired by the stone bridge in Prizren.

A massive work placed on the wall, layer by layer that gives the impression that it is dripping. It is made with glass wool material, polymer plaster, plaster and pigment.

A synchronous coil also gets attention. It is from the American Margo Sawyer, she brings the work made with hand-colored glass. It brings light and color to the embassy terrace.

Margo Sawyer's works explore the relationship between space and perfection, places where architecture and ritual meet to create qualities of perfection that prompt the visitor to look within himself.

She said that color is what stands out in her works. The work at the American embassy was inspired by the interior designs and motifs of the National Library of Kosovo.

"For me this piece is a revolutionary piece for my artistic practice, something I've never done, something architectural in glass, and I worked with a company that makes architectural glass, and it's made in the traditional way that stained glass is made, the glass is painted, it is fired and the color becomes part of the glass, it is two layers of color and the sides make a spiral, the spiral was very important in terms of its symbolic nature, it again resembles the middle of the library and is a kind of spiritual center of the individual and the community, but also symbolizes the space and inclusion of all. The piece is called Synchronicity of Color for Kosovo", said Margo Sawyer.

These works, as well as other works in the collection, are evidence of art's ability to transform the relationship between the individual and space, to overcome language barriers and to build connections between people.

Until you look at the building from the outside, you realize how the embassy is located in a steep landscape and focused towards a large pond. And this minimizes the visual impact of structures from nearby urban streets and reduces facade and energy costs.

The location where the new American embassy was built was donated by the Municipality of Pristina with the right of use for 99 years.

The US Department of State aimed for a building design that exceeded the US government's security standards for diplomatic mission designs, for a welcoming, transparent, secure and distinguished building that underscores the values ​​of freedom and democracy of the United States of America. The United States first opened the Office of the US Intelligence Service in Kosovo in 1996. This office in Pristina has acted as the diplomatic mission of the United States in Kosovo.

Since 1996, American investments in Kosovo have increased significantly, with the establishment of a permanent diplomatic mission in 1999, which was followed by the establishment of the American Embassy in Kosovo in 2008, when Kosovo's independence was also announced./kp/Telegrafi/