Swedish-based firm Wingardh Architect has completed in 2006 of modern building an architectural project of Swedish Embassy offices for Swedish-American liaisons in Georgetown, Washington D.C. House of Sweden which is the flagship of Swedish public diplomacy in the United States was commissioned in 2002.
The 70,000 square foot of floor space modern building hosts two stories of Embassy facilities, a conference centre with exhibition areas, and an auditorium. The top two floors of the building are a residential area, sold as luxury riverside apartments to private buyers, and there is a single-level car parking garage.
Showcasing the country’s resources and traditions, the building uses building materials and systems used in Sweden. The building is a glass design interspersed with a framework of wood. Inside, the structure has a large wooden component, and the outer walls are largely glass to allow for significant daylight to flood the complex. At night, the lighted panels appear to glow, like a golden sail docked on the river walk.
The House of Sweden architects focused highly on sustainable strategies, including using renewable building materials, construction recycling, and alternative heating and cooling systems that substantially reduce energy and equipment lifecycle costs. Another key to sustainability, aside from the maximizing of daylight, is the green roof which helps the building absorb and filter storm water runoff, while simultaneously reducing interior building temperatures and extending the life of the roof membrane. Via nhit-shis
