![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/09/Visa-section-of-Swiss-Embassy-by-EXH-Design-37.jpg)
Visa section of Swiss Embassy by EXH Design
Shanghai-based design studio EXH Design have completed the extension to the visa savilion of the Swiss Embassy in Beijing.
![Visa section of Swiss Embassy by EXH Design 4 Visa section of Swiss Embassy by EXH Design 4](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/09/Visa-section-of-Swiss-Embassy-by-EXH-Design-4.jpg)
The extension consists of a glass and bamboo façade over a steel structure.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/09/Visa-section-of-Swiss-Embassy-by-EXH-Design-24.jpg)
Included within the new section are offices, a meeting room and a server room
![Visa section of Swiss Embassy by EXH Design 34 Visa section of Swiss Embassy by EXH Design 34](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/09/Visa-section-of-Swiss-Embassy-by-EXH-Design-34.jpg)
Here’s some text from EXH Design:
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Visa section of Swiss embassy
Client: Swiss federal office of construction and logistic
Architect: EXH design
![Visa section of Swiss Embassy by EXH Design 17 Visa section of Swiss Embassy by EXH Design 17](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/09/Visa-section-of-Swiss-Embassy-by-EXH-Design-17.jpg)
The existing visa pavilion built in 1999 is a solid building in concrete and brick.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/09/Visa-section-of-Swiss-Embassy-by-EXH-Design-8.jpg)
It cannot meet the increasing request of visas any more.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/09/Visa-section-of-Swiss-Embassy-by-EXH-Design-6.jpg)
We were approached to enlarge the working areas and provide a fresh representation of Switzerland in China.
![Visa section of Swiss Embassy by EXH Design 35 Visa section of Swiss Embassy by EXH Design 35](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/09/Visa-section-of-Swiss-Embassy-by-EXH-Design-35.jpg)
The concept is to ‘see the history through the decade’.
![Visa section of Swiss Embassy by EXH Design 11 Visa section of Swiss Embassy by EXH Design 11](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/09/Visa-section-of-Swiss-Embassy-by-EXH-Design-11.jpg)
We keep the old brick building, which witnessed the accelerated pace of change in China; and extended it with a lightweight glass facade, through which the inside bricks still can be seen.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/09/Visa-section-of-Swiss-Embassy-by-EXH-Design-2.jpg)
Two kinds of architecture are overlapped in across time.
![Visa section of Swiss Embassy by EXH Design 29 Visa section of Swiss Embassy by EXH Design 29](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/09/Visa-section-of-Swiss-Embassy-by-EXH-Design-29.jpg)
The facade is an abstract collection of Chinese characters with Swiss simplicity, which hides the steel structure.
![Visa section of Swiss Embassy by EXH Design 12 Visa section of Swiss Embassy by EXH Design 12](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/09/Visa-section-of-Swiss-Embassy-by-EXH-Design-12.jpg)
Bamboo is used as exterior and interior material to indicate the context - China.
![Visa section of Swiss Embassy by EXH Design 32 Visa section of Swiss Embassy by EXH Design 32](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/09/Visa-section-of-Swiss-Embassy-by-EXH-Design-32.jpg)
Both Chinese and Swiss visitors will sense a familiar impression.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/09/Visa-section-of-Swiss-Embassy-by-EXH-Design-26.jpg)
The existing building contents as today the waiting area for visitors, the counters and the offices of the Visa section.
![Visa section of Swiss Embassy by EXH Design 3 Visa section of Swiss Embassy by EXH Design 3](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/09/Visa-section-of-Swiss-Embassy-by-EXH-Design-3.jpg)
The extension contents additional offices, a small meeting room, a server room and toilets.
![Visa section of Swiss Embassy by EXH Design 10 Visa section of Swiss Embassy by EXH Design 10](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/09/Visa-section-of-Swiss-Embassy-by-EXH-Design-10.jpg)
An air lock and a canopy will be added to the visitors’ entrance.
![Visa section of Swiss Embassy by EXH Design 19 Visa section of Swiss Embassy by EXH Design 19](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/09/Visa-section-of-Swiss-Embassy-by-EXH-Design-19.jpg)
The roof of the extension will be planted (extensive lawn system) for energy saving reasons floor and roof will be well insulated.
![Visa section of Swiss Embassy by EXH Design 21 Visa section of Swiss Embassy by EXH Design 21](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/09/Visa-section-of-Swiss-Embassy-by-EXH-Design-21.jpg)
Low-e glazing will be used in facade.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/09/Visa-section-of-Swiss-Embassy-by-EXH-Design-15.jpg)
A floor heating, ceiling cooling sys¬tem with ventilation for fresh air meet a high quality of comfort.
![Visa section of Swiss Embassy by EXH Design 14 Visa section of Swiss Embassy by EXH Design 14](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/09/Visa-section-of-Swiss-Embassy-by-EXH-Design-14.jpg)
The existing pavilion and his extension will be fully supplied by the existing technical installations in the basement of the chancellery.
![Visa section of Swiss Embassy by EXH Design 1 Visa section of Swiss Embassy by EXH Design 1](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/09/Visa-section-of-Swiss-Embassy-by-EXH-Design-1.gif)