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About the Embassy - Art and Architecture

History
In 1972, due to the growing importance of the Canada-US relationship, the existing chancery could no longer accommodate the work and staff of the Embassy. Discussions with a number of U.S. agencies brought the 501 Pennsylvania Avenue site to Canada’s attention. The property was purchased in 1978, construction began in 1986, and the Embassy was officially opened on May 3, 1989.

Exterior Architecture
Arthur Erikson is recognized as one of Canada’s most illustrious architects. A native of Vancouver, he has won several international awards, including gold medals from both the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada and the American Institute of Architects. In his design of the Chancery, Erikson incorporated the use of open spaces, greenery, and water—elements that he felt best captured the spirit of Canada.

The Embassy courtyard features the Rotunda of the Provinces and Territories, located on the corner of the courtyard which projects out toward Pennsylvania Avenue. The Rotunda consists of 12 pillars, which symbolize Canada’s 10 provinces and two territories in existence at the time of construction. The new territory of Nunavut, which came into existence on April 1, 1999, is represented by an Inukshuk in the Embassy foyer. Surrounding the rotunda is a waterfall, incorporated by architect Erikson to represent Niagara Falls, the most famous site along the Canada-U.S. border.

Like the open courtyard, the Embassy landscape symbolizes Canada. The tiers above the main entrance are planted with hawthorne trees accented by miniature white azaleas and tea roses cascading over the walls. Along the driveway are white azaleas and pink oaks. When in bloom, these shrubs give the effect of snow, a familiar sight in Canada. The balcony planters boast ilex-helleri, a slow-growing holly used in formal gardens.

The courtyard also accommodates the reflecting pool where the masterpiece sculpture by the late Vancouver artist Bill Reid (1920-1998) entitled The Spirit of the Haida Gwaii is located.

Interior Architecture
Strict developmental guidelines were imposed on the outside design of the Embassy, but its interior afforded architect Erikson more creative license. His use of sharp, crisp angles and shapes reflects his personal architectural trademark and mimics the angular shape of the National Gallery’s East Wing, which is located across the street from the Embassy.

As The Spirit of Haida Gwaii dominates the exterior, the Inukshuk sculpture by David Rubin Piktoukin commands the Embassy lobby. This Inuit sculpture, configured by rocks balanced on top of one another, mimics the figure of a solitary man. Such Inukshuk, built by the people of Canada’s northernmost region, are used to mark trailheads and to pen caribou. When snowfall creates whiteout conditions, the Inukshuk serves as the only distinguishing feature between land and sky.

The Embassy also boasts an Art Gallery that showcases Canadian art and heritage year round. Past exhibitions have featured works by artists such as Christopher Pratt, Alex Colville, Emily Carr and Edward Burtynsky. Please visit the gallery page for information on the current exhibition.

The Embassy’s cultural programming also includes events in our in-house theatre. The 175-seat theatre is used for a variety of events, including concerts, theatre productions, and film screenings. Recent events include a master class held by Jamie Parker with students from the Levine School of Music in honour of Canadian pianist Glenn Gould’s birthday, and a piano performance by Alexandre Solopov and his young apprentice, Xin Ben Yu. The performance followed the screening of Mr. Mergler’s Gift directed by Beverly Schaffer and produced by the National Film Board of Canada.