Embassy of South Africa

Davis Brody Bond re-designed the South African Embassy in Washington, D.C adapting and reusing two historically significant structures on Embassy Row – the Ambassador’s Residence and the Chancery.

Adapting ad reusing two historically significant structures on Embassy Row – the Ambassador’s Residence (1936) and the Chancery (1963) – Davis Brody Bond was commissioned by the Embassy of South Africa to consolitade and modernize the complex.

The rehabilitation project upgrades the embassy to meet their current and future programmatic Chancery needs by providing a 5,100 sqm build-out.

The Ambassador’s Residence and the Chancery building, built in Dutch Cape style, were in need of updated building systems, improved life safety and security, general maintenance, and an increase of on-site parking for their growing personnel. Davis Brody Bond’s renovations focused on the creation of a new and welcoming environment for embassy staff and visitors through a major expansion of the public spaces and infrastructure. To support of the embassy’s outreach mission, the new design intends to create a new image for the embassy that symbolizes the “New South Africa.”

David Brody Bond, Embassy of South Africa, Washington D.C. — Davis Brody Bond, Embassy of South Africa, Washington D.C.

Their straightforward solution captured the exterior space between the two existing structures, creating a central point of entry for staff and visitors, thereby improving access, circulation and security. The new glass-enclosed reception hall houses a three-story atrium and new multi-purpose rooms, which will be used for public outreach programming.