Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, Canberra

Client Government of the United Arab Emirates

Location Canberra

New Embassy, Chancery, Reception Building & Ambassadorial Residence

The Government of the United Arab Emirates is undertaking a prestigious diplomatic project in Canberra, Australia. The works, currently under construction and scheduled for completion in early 2026, cover a large site of approximately 14,000m². This project includes approximately 4,900m² of diplomatic facilities including a large two-storey Embassy with basement parking, a two-storey Ambassadorial Residence with associated recreation facilities and staff accommodation, a single-storey Office Building for diplomatic staff, as well as a Reception Building for guests. Smaller visitor arrival, site security and garage facilities are provided.

The project has required complex site planning to accommodate both private residential and public and secure diplomatic functional requirements. The building’s spatial planning accommodates a range of diplomatic, cultural, and official activities and their anticipated diplomatic interrelationships, as well as enabling flexible uses in many of the buildings and rooms. Access, pedestrian circulation, precinct and building security, vehicular circulation, and on-site parking are carefully integrated into a meticulous site plan. Cultural references to the Emirates are integrated into the design through building forms and their materiality.

Each building provides variation in terms of scale, massing and exterior articulation, considering different needs for privacy and outlook. The elevated site offers views across the Woden Valley, while a sequence of gardens and landscaped courts link the differing building types and scales. Consistent material selections for the exterior cladding – predominantly sandstone panels – ensure a shared architectural character across the precinct.

Site circulation demarcates two discrete zones for private residential use and publicly accessible diplomatic facilities. These are designed to accommodate different operational modes, catering for both day-to-day activities as well as special occasions. The building configuration preserves an existing stand of significant trees to the north-east, while promoting additional planting through landscaped courts and terraced gardens throughout the site.

GMB’s role required the design and documentation of all buildings, as well preparation of return briefs, cost and value management assistance, user-consultation, document coordination, and the provision of tender assessment and construction phase advice which will continue through to completion of the Defects Liability Period.