House of Sweden, Washington D.C.

A Swedish arena in the United States. House of Sweden became a modern, fascinating building and the talk of the town.

Designed for dialogue

In 2006, a House of Sweden was built outside of Sweden. It is home to the Swedish embassy and representatives of Swedish commerce. The building forms an important Swedish arena in the United States. The building, housing the Embassy of Sweden and since October 2009 also the Embassy of Iceland, an Event Center with exhibition halls and conference rooms and 19 apartments. A unique opportunity to live, work and entertain, in a creative, living building.

Architecture contest

House of Sweden is the result of an architecture contest announced by the National Property Board Sweden in 2002. The Swedish government had just signed an agreement with an American developer to rent a part of a planned building in Georgetown on the Washington Harbor - and at the same time design it through Swedish architecture. A whole new type of Embassy.

The relatively complicated contest requirements included creating an atmosphere of openness and transparency, which is unique for an embassy building. The structure would also have more public areas for exhibits and seminars, plus two floors of apartments.

In January 2003, the jury selected the entry submitted by Swedish architects Tomas Hansen and Gert Wingårdh, and construction began in August 2004.

The best location in Washington

House of Sweden is built on what is considered one of Washington's absolutely most attractive sites. It has a park on one side, and the promenade along the shores of Potomac, Washington Harbor on another.

A symbol of Sweden

The building is light and airy, with large glass segments. Light is a key element, both outside and in. All around the body of the building is a belt of light, backlit wood, which after dark gives the sense that the building is floating. House of Sweden stands on white pillars and is suffused with Nordic light. The materials are blonde wood, glass and stone, often in layers.

The architecture expresses a refined simplicity, at once both pragmatic and surprising. An elegant design with lots to see, perfectly suited to the property and truly doing the magnificent view justice.

Interesting facts

• Total area: about 69 000 square feet + 16 000 square feet garage
• Construction start: August 2004
• Ready to accept tenants: spring/summer 2006
• Grand opening: October 2006
• Contractor: National Property Board Sweden/Lano/Armada Harbourside L.L.C.
• Design architect: Wingårdh Arkitektkontor AB
• Tenants: Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, among others
• Administrator: National Property Board Sweden