The architectural design of the new Australian Embassy compound in Jakarta offers a multiplicity of expressions, drawing together into a unified and cohesive whole, to represent the cultural diversity of Australia.

The complex comprises Chancery, Head of Mission (HOM) Residence, 32 staff accommodation units, and medical and recreational facilities. Each component has a distinct character consistent with its function.
Photography: John Gollings
The Chancery is physically and conceptually the dominant building on the site and is based on the idea of a series of 12 cubic volumes or ?billets? rising out of the landscape. This immediately establishes an ?unconventional? presence which marks the Chancery as a special place. It evokes connotations of powerful Australian landform images such as Uluru and Kata Tjuta, without making direct reference in any way. Each of the billets is clad in a different metal ? zinc, copper, brass, steel, aluminium ? metals all mined in Australia thus, reflecting Australia?s natural resources and mineral wealth. Each metal surface is debossed, creating a subtle variation of panel type, to give further enrichment to the surface. The change in each block serves to give further complexity and variety to the simple and elegant forms. The form of the Chancery is uncomplicated, direct but at the same time powerful and memorable. It is unequivocal and confident. It doesn?t look superficially ?Australia? but relies on a more subtle reading of the Australian...