The Design

A site overlooking Canberra has been provided by the Government of Australia and formally accepted by the Government of Timor-Leste, on the corner of Beale Crescent, Deakin, next to the Bosnian Embassy and opposite the Brunei Embassy.
[See press release here]

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Norman Day, the architect for the Embassy describes the design:

"The Embassy is intended to reflect the growing confidence and future-looking attitude of this newest nation. In doing so, it was considered appropriate to reflect on the myths, dreams and hopes of these people, using their traditions as guides for the architecture.

 The Embassy Chancellery is conceptually a large village meeting hall, where all manner of functions happen. It is uncomplicated and structured to resemble traditional building techniques – yet is thoroughly modern.

 The associated diplomatic housing is scattered over the site like village houses and the central core of the concept is the Timor-Leste Gardens which showcase the vegetation and landscape of the half island where animist traditions echo through all concepts of land and geography.

 A small bridge runs through the gardens, raised, leading to a platform of peace and contemplation – where visitors can celebrate these courageous and friendly people against a backdrop of Canberra’s mountains."

The design has been enthusiastically embraced by the Timor-Leste leadership and a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Fund and the Government of Timor-Leste.

Unlike most embassies, the hall will be available to the visiting public and display the history and culture of the people. It will become an icon on the Embassy circuit in Canberra and the focus of ongoing relations between Australia and Timor-Leste.

It is planned to commence site works in 2005, and construction of the embassy should be complete and ready for occupation in 2007.

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More pictures in the Gallery