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NEWS RELEASES

October 25, 2002 (4:20 p.m. EDT) No. 129

CANADIAN EMBASSY NAMED BEST PUBLIC BUILDING IN WARSAW

Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham today congratulated the Canadian architectural designers of the new Canadian embassy in Poland, which has been named this year's best public building by the City of Warsaw.

In a ceremony at the Warsaw Town Hall, Mayor Wojciech Kozak today presented Canadian Ambassador Ralph J. Lysyshyn with one of three Mayor of Warsaw Honorary Awards for the city's best architectural achievements. In addition to the public use category, awards were given in office and residential categories.

"I want to extend my sincere congratulations to the Canadian design team at WZMH Architects of Toronto on their tremendous achievement in designing this unique representation of Canada and our relationship with Poland," said Mr. Graham. "I also want to thank those who worked so hard to complete this project in which all Canadians can take pride."

While the embassy is a functional and secure facility, the aesthetics convey Canada's character. Transparency, openness and a desire to promote greater commercial and cultural exchange are represented by the clear glass and custom-designed aluminum plate that make up a significant portion of the facades on two parallel streets. There are barrier-free entrances on both sides from which a bridge crosses over a landscape of rocks and grasses indigenous to Canada. The building itself highlights commonly used Canadian building materials. A virtual tour of the embassy is available at: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/warsaw/tour1.asp

This is the second such award that the embassy has received since its official opening on October 29, 2001. It was named Best Building of the Year in 2001 by the English language bi-monthly magazine, Polish Business News.

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