National Palace calls original architect for remodeling

By Kirubel Tadesse (Capital)

Francesco Saverio Antilici, Italian Architectural and Interior Designer, who created the Palace's interior and supervised the construction of the Jubilee Palace in 1972, is in Addis Ababa for a renovation project. The whereabouts of Francesco Saverio Antilici was traced by chance by the Palace Administration through the Internet and he was invited to come to Addis Ababa to help in the study for the renovation and the interior designs of his thirty-five year old work as well as the original wing of the palace which was built in 1955.

Antilici told Capital that he has spent months preparing the survey of both the two wings of the Palace starting from the end of October 2007. "We looked everywhere for the designs of the Palace," explained Antilici," finally, I found some of the designs in my archive and those are what we are referring to now. For the 1955 wing, which was designed by another person, no plans were found so I had to draw and study it thoroughly for months."

He has now submitted the results of the survey and a renovation program to the Palace Administration and is optimistic about the approval of a budget for the projects, which is estimated to last two years. "I was told that the news of an approval of a budget should come in quite a short time," Antilici told Capital. "We will first start to renovate one of the wings, leaving the other to resume service and move to the other wing," Antilici added.

Going back to the first time when he was called in for the job, Antilici said "I can say it was by chance I got the job. Back in 1969, I was talking to my uncle, an engineer, and acquainted with the people who were looking for an architect. That's how I came to spend three years working on the Palace. I was 27 at that time and it was a great experience for any young architect."

According to Antilici's recollection the interior designs and finish of Jubilee Palace cost USD 5 million, a budget made available by an export credit by the Italian government. He added he was put in charge of the project after the foundation and basement were completed. Most of the materials were imported from Italy but now Antilici believes that many of them should be available locally.

"The condition of the palace is really amazing; the Palace Administration accomplished a miracle in preserving it. The 1955 palace is also in fair good condition. However, every house needs maintenance after thirty five years of service, particularly in what concerns the technical installations, i.e. electrical, plumbing and ventilation systems, the restoration of wooden floors and the general interior decoration" explained Antilici. Even if the current state of the palace is quite satisfactory, Antilici comments that for unknown reasons, the exterior of the Jubilee Palace has been repainted and has a different look and color." Now we have to undo that and correct it. I don't know why it was made to look like limestone but it was redecorated and now we will change it back to its original look," Antilici added.

Antilici told Capital that he has met some old friends who still work at the palace. "I heard that Engineer Mekonnen Mulat has passed, he was the one I was working with mostly," said Antilici referring to the then Vice Minister of Public Works. "The Emperor too was closely following the palace construction. We were working like mad and eager for the completion day. At the end of the project, the Emperor was satisfied."

Renowned architect, Francesco Saverio Antilici, was born in Rome, Italy, in a family of Italian and German descent. He took the final examinations both at the State Art School and at the Technical School in Rome getting the architectural designer certificate. He also studied architecture at the La Sapienza University in Rome.
He started practicing in Tunisia as assistant architect at the Ministry of Public Works. He set up his own Architectural and Town planning practice on authorization by the Tunisian Government. He completed successfully a number of projects, as designer and project manager in North Africa, Middle East and Europe sometimes in collaboration with major Italian and foreign offices, or on his own. His portfolio includes clients like Dr G.-R. Flick, the heir of the Daimler-Benz fortune, two daughters of President Bongo of Gabon, Prince Mansour b. Meteib b. Abdulaziz, a nephew of former King Fahad of Saudi Arabia, Mr. C.-J. Tourres of Adidas and many more important private clients and institutions. His experience going from town planning to architecture, interior design, restoration of antique buildings and garden and landscape design. "It is a special moment for me; it isn't always that you are called to do a project you did 35 years ago," said Antilici," the budget required isn't that high since the Palace is just old and not an antique which usually costs a huge amount of money."