Design consultant for the new Australian Embassy, Washington

  • Media release

Australiancompany Bates Smart has been selected to design the new Australian Embassy inWashington DC.

The government's decision to construct a new building on the existing Embassysite will continue our presence in the heart of the Washington diplomaticprecinct.

Australia'srelationship with the United States is one of our most significant, strategicand long-standing. In 1940 Richard Casey was sent to Washington DC by thenPrime Minister Robert Menzies – Australia's first diplomat posted outside theCommonwealth – highlighting the priority Australia placed on our relationshipwith the United States.

Thenew Embassy design will promote an enduring vision of a contemporary andinnovative Australia, paying tribute to the Australian landscape. The designincludes an expansive glass atrium in the centre of the building, a large openpublic space looking back towards the White House, with an exhibition galleryand function spaces.

Innovative environmental design solutions will be used throughout the buildingwhich will have the highest global environmental design standards.

BatesSmart is a prominent Australian architectural studio, with over 160 years ofcontinual practice and has designed notable buildings in Australia includingthe New Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne.

Fundingfor this project was provided through the 2015-16 Budget process.

Thecurrent Embassy building was constructed in the mid-1960s and, due to themassive renovations required, the cost of repair is nearly equivalent to thecost of a new building.

Thedesign for the new Embassy can be viewed at: http://dfat.gov.au/about-us/our-locations/missions/Pages/washington-embassy-project.aspx

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