From Theodore Dalrymple, writing in City Journal about the abysmal architecture of American embassies:
The new American embassy in Maputo (Mozambique) ... [has] a facade that looks as if a giant Parmesan cheese is expected to fall from the sky at any moment and will need grating as it lands.
The offending building (click the image for a larger view from the US State Department's Web facilities):
One can only cringe in sympathy with Mr. Dalrymple . . .
Peter
15 comments:
It must be Trumps' fault.
After all, he wants to Make America Grate Again!
Wonder if the CIA has anything to do with that.
Personally, I'd rather that US embassies were built on a different plan---like medieval fortresses. That keeps hordes of screaming foreigners from taking them over. I haven't forgotten 1979 in Iran.
all's said n' done, I 've seen much worse
looky at duh libe
I'd be interested to see the security plan...
Probably works well as shade and a missile shield.
Winner!
Maybe acts as a Faraday cage.
One migt cringe deeper if realizing we all paid for the designing and building. Personally I think embassies should be blockhouses with suitable interiors for business and entertaining. Exterior cost into security and defense and let the diplomats have their play inside.
That is literally the architectural intent of these building facades. This isn't the first, and it's not the only. In certain countries, the threat of random attacks by small caliber mortars, rockets, and RPGs is non-zero. The style allows light in and some visibility to the outside, while also providing shade and improving the building's LEED rating.
Not even close.
I have seen the same defensive structure on other buildings. It's meant to appear to be decorative.
Blast resistant windows, bollards and walls to minimize truck bombs. Very important when you don't have stand off distance from the road.
Aaron@911: Good thing I done with my morning coffee. :-)
Yeah, as much as I'd prefer Corinthian (or even Ionic) columns, etc, the butt-ugly facade is probably much better for defense and security. Unfortunately.
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