Architecture as International Diplomacy: The Swiss Embassy in Seoul, Inspired by the "Hanok"

An architectural collaboration between Switzerland and Korea

The Swiss Embassy in Seoul elegantly reflects the recent flourishing of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The building offers a Swiss-inspired reinterpretation of the hanok, the traditional Korean wooden house built without nails or dowels. Designed in a horseshoe shape, the structure encircles an open-air courtyard and harmoniously connects the public chancellery, offices, and residential spaces. “The complex exudes incredible energy,” notes Ambassador Nadine Olivieri Lozano, who previously served in the Netherlands and Iran.

The building’s location was chosen so that visitors can enjoy a breathtaking view of the greenery in Gyeonghuigung Park from the inner courtyard. The inclusion of a geothermal heating system and solar panels adds an ecological dimension that is characteristic of Swiss expertise. As the ambassador notes, diplomacy is based above all on trust and human connection: “Our goal is to provide a home away from home for Swiss citizens in South Korea, while creating a genuine space for exchange and dialogue for our South Korean friends.”

A heartfelt tribute to the neighborhood's history

While the area exudes tranquility today, its past was far more turbulent. The Songwol-dong neighborhood was once a bustling area, before the government decided to tear down its dilapidated buildings in the 2010s to make way for glass skyscrapers. Opened in 2019, the embassy was designed by the Swiss architecture firm Burckhardt as a tribute to the hanoks that once dotted the neighborhood.

The concrete walls, essential for safety reasons, were cast to mimic the grain of wood. This creates a complex, Korean-inspired façade while evoking the construction techniques seen in cities such as Bern, Zurich, and Geneva. A feat that carries a certain irony, as lead architect Nicolas Vaucher notes: “Although this style is characteristic of Swiss buildings, it would be impossible to achieve here due to its exorbitant cost. It’s a project we could only bring to life here.”

A hub for remembrance and cultural dialogue

Beyond its rich program of events spanning business, literature, and design, this hanok -style building resonates deeply with the people of Seoul. For the ambassador, this architecture respectfully honors the site’s history: “The building proves that progress and remembrance can coexist—an essential message in a metropolis in constant flux.”