Reima and Raili Pietilä won the design competition for the Finnish Embassy in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, in 1963 in a competition entry called “Snow speaks on the mountains". The project was commissioned in 1980 and the Embassy finally opened in 1986. The sculptural roofs - the most significant architectural feature - resemble the forms of the snowy Lake Kitkajärvi near Kuusamo, Northern Finland. The facades are made of locally manufactured natural sandstone tiles, white plastered bricks, white painted concrete, and oiled teak.
Today, the renovated embassy compound comprises the ambassador's residence, the chancery, visa and consular services, the office of Business Finland, staff apartments, a Finnish sauna around a large central garden area.
Fact File
Program: Restoration & renovation
Area: 4,400 m2
Location: Chanakyapuri, New Delhi
Client: Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Finland
Status: Embassy reopened in Nov 2018
Architect: ALA Architects & partners Juho Grönholm, Antti Nousjoki, Janne Teräsvirta, Samuli Woolston
Local architect partner: C. P. Kukreja Architects
Photographer: Tuomas Uusheimo
The renovation, including construction of new entrance gates, as well as architectural works focussed on restoring the original spirit of the design - both indoors and outdoors. The new gatehouses were built by forming inward niches into the original compound walls to create a discreet but clearly independent architectural addition upon arrival, and to not interfere with the original architecture inside the compound.
The aim of the project was to improve the well-being of the staff members, the safety, as well as the energy efficiency and functionality of the buildings, also taking into account the harsh climate conditions and the air pollution. Local regulations prevented any changes to be made to the facades or any trees to be cut. Additionally, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland chose to treat the embassy as an architectural landmark.
The original interior design was by Finnish interior architect Antti Nurmesniemi and his team, who also designed the Embassy's custom furniture and lighting, and Reima Pietilä's sketches for fixed furnishings, while most of the other furniture was imported from Finnish furniture manufacturer Artek. Photos from the 1980s were used to define the correct colors and materials in both refurbished and new furniture, textiles and rugs. The original design also includes a large ceramic indoor bas-relief and water feature by Finnish ceramic artist Rut Bryk.
The original landscaping is by Finnish landscape architect Maj-Lis Rosenbröijer. As part of the renovation the yard areas were thoroughly refurbished; some climate-specific plants were selected; improvements made to paths crossing the compound; and new irrigation and stormwater management systems installed with some gradient changes.
