Renders courtesy Bates Smart.

Bates Smart has had its design selected for the new Australian Embassy in Washington.

The environmentally sensitive design embodies the spirit of Australia through direct references to the Australian landscape: its bright and clear natural light and open skies, its warm materiality and its vast scale. The use of these associations will create a civic building and symbol of Australia that is both enduring and welcoming, says the studio.

An expansive glass atrium allows natural light to flood into the centre of the building, while at ground floor level, a large open public space looks back towards the White House. This space leads guests into a sequence of finely crafted open, exhibition gallery and bespoke function spaces used for ceremonial and public functions. Surrounding the atrium space on the upper levels is a series of flexible working areas, creating a highly contemporary, healthy and open workspace setting.

Innovative environmental design solutions permeate the building, achieving the highest global environmental design standards available. Features include a thermally efficient façade, a green roof with an extensive photovoltaic array, expansive use of natural light and the latest building services technologies.

The new Australian Embassy will replace the existing embassy building which was also designed by Bates Smart in 1964. The original design by Sir Osbourne McCutcheon was the first purpose-built Australian embassy building since Australia House was constructed in London in 1918.

“It is with great pride that we have the opportunity to replace this building with the next generation of Bates Smart design,” says Bates Smart Director, Kristen Whittle. “The design of the new Embassy has been inspired by the unique and beguiling beauty of the Australian landscape. The project has a refined and rich materiality which will make it stand out in Washington.”

batessmart.com