Client: Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Title: The British Embassy
Location: Riga, Latvia
Description: Royal Academy Award
“Jestico and Whiles’ work is marked by scrupulous research and intelligent and resourceful procurement.” Architect’s Journal
Following the demise of the Soviet occupation, the Latvian government returned a derelict historic villa to the UK for conversion to its primary diplomatic mission in the Baltic States. As one-stop designer and project manager, Jestico + Whiles was charged with delivering it to exacting requirements of security and advanced communications and public accountability.
Underpinning the work is a scrupulous study of the historic context, history and materials of the building, which in turn informed the conservation and selected restoration of the original structure and fabric. This in turn was balanced with a series of contemporary interventions designed to adapt the building to its new use.
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