OMA GOD, it's an embassy!
0 Comments Published by Cedric Benetti on Sunday, June 17, 2007 at 6/17/2007 01:28:00 PM.
Let's visit the Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (or Dutch Embassy if you prefer) in Berlin, completed in 2003 by OMA (Office for Metropolitan Architecture)/Rem Koolhaas, which won the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture - Mies van der Rohe Award 2005 
The "Barcode"; proposal by Koolhaas for the flag of the European Union
A walk through video
A short clip made by the Manchester School of Architecture
A short clip made by the Manchester School of Architecture
The "Barcode"; proposal by Koolhaas for the flag of the European UnionFollowing the signing of Treaties of Nice in May 2001, which made Brussels the official capital of Europe, the then President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi and the Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt invited Koolhaas to discuss the necessities and requirements of a European capital.
During these talks and as an impetus for further discussion, Koolhaas and OMA suggested the development of a visual language. This idea inspired a series of drawings and drafts, including the "Barcode". The barcode unites the flags of the EU countries into a single colourful symbol.
In the current European flag, there is a fixed number of stars. In the barcode however, new Member States of the EU can be added without space constraints. Originally, the barcode displayed 15 EU countries. In 2004, the symbol was adapted to include the ten new Member States.
Since the time of the first drafts of the barcode it has never been officially used by commercial or political institutions. During the Austrian EU Presidency 2006 it is officially used for the first time. The logo has already been used for the EU information campaign which will also be continued during the Austrian EU Presidency.
During these talks and as an impetus for further discussion, Koolhaas and OMA suggested the development of a visual language. This idea inspired a series of drawings and drafts, including the "Barcode". The barcode unites the flags of the EU countries into a single colourful symbol.
In the current European flag, there is a fixed number of stars. In the barcode however, new Member States of the EU can be added without space constraints. Originally, the barcode displayed 15 EU countries. In 2004, the symbol was adapted to include the ten new Member States.
Since the time of the first drafts of the barcode it has never been officially used by commercial or political institutions. During the Austrian EU Presidency 2006 it is officially used for the first time. The logo has already been used for the EU information campaign which will also be continued during the Austrian EU Presidency.
Labels: Architecture shot, Berlin
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