The Embassy of Australia in Washington DC has returned home to our (new) chancery on Scott Circle, 1601 Massachusetts Ave NW.
Our new Embassy showcases the very best in Australian design, materials and architectural excellence, thanks to the innovative design by prominent Australian architectural studio, Bates Smart, who also designed our original Embassy building over half a century ago.
The new design embodies the spirit of Australia through direct references to its distinctive geography, with bright and clear natural light and open skies, warm materiality, and vast scale — creating a symbol of Australia that is both welcoming and enduring. The new building includes an expansive glass atrium and a large open public space looking towards another of Washington’s historic structures, the White House, with an exhibition gallery and function spaces.
The building has a Green Star rating through innovative environmental design solutions, including a thermally efficient façade, a green roof with an extensive photovoltaic array, expansive use of natural light and the latest building services technologies. The environmental focus of the new embassy demonstrates Australia’s global leadership in sustainable design, construction and products.