The land of Ethiopia provides an extraordinary variety of landscapes, from its hot deserts and tropics to its ever contrasting lofty central plateau. Vast lakes and beautiful rivers cut through the Ethiopian countryside, cascading far below the impressive mountain ranges. The Design proposal for the Swiss Embassy in Addis Ababa has been developed as a tribute to the cradle of civilization. The main source of inspiration has been from their landscape to their way of life. The materiality and the sense of corrosion that the mountains display and the natures balance between the peaks and the valleys is what inspired us to design this multi-terraced facility. Staying close to the ground is a value that we cherish.