The design of an embassy or high commission is a privileged architectural commission. It offers the opportunity to represent the cultural values of one’s country internationally. Consistent with Canada’s domestic policy of multiculturalism, the project has a dual cultural responsibility, to represent the ‘guest’ country and to show respect for the culture of the ‘host’ country.

Bangladesh is a country of extremes. It has one of the densest populations on earth and is one of the world’s poorest nations. It has a hot climate with monsoon rains that can leave as much as 90% of the country under water. A contextualist approach is not a style, but rather a discipline, a method, a way of seeing, which is culturally transferable. Building within the material culture of a place not only communicates a respect for regional context but also ensures the maximum economic value to the client.

The Ganges Delta has two principle resources: alluvial silt and people, which translates into bricks and bricklayers. The building’s material palette therefore consists of an elongated brick wall, which wraps the courtyard that is punctuated by a series of folded metal elements. The perimeter brick wall reflects the requirement for security in a contemporary embassy. Three representational ‘public’ rooms are sculpted out and finished in Canadian maple. Four metal canopies signify entry; welcoming visitors and protecting them from torrential rains.

The courtyard form of the project reflects the Islamic cultural principle of outward modesty responds to the tropical climate and provides security in a post-9/11 world. A monumental brise-soleil protects the consular façade from the harsh south sun, and acts as a sign of entry. While the project is inspired in part by the monolithic masonry drums of Louis Kahn’s nearby National Assembly complex, an embassy by contrast, is inherently no longer primarily a public building type. However, the courtyard form of the project creates the illusion of a generous public realm in conjunction with the three, small representational public interior spaces. Monumental processional approaches, up onto the courtyard plinth (raised to prevent flooding) and into the building express the act of will to create a public architecture nonetheless.