Arrow to jump to the next portion of the webpage.
House of Sweden - a stunning example of contemporary Scandinavian architecture designed by Gert Wingårdh and Tomas Hansen - was inaugurated in 2006 as the Embassy of Sweden’s new home in Washington, D.C.

A physical representation of Swedish values - such as openness, transparency and democracy - House of Sweden is the flagship of Sweden’s public diplomacy in the United States.


The building houses the Embassy of Sweden, the Embassy of Iceland, office space, conference and exhibition halls. House of Sweden has been awarded Sweden’s most prestigious architecture award: the Kasper Salin Prize for best building. Announced on November 16, 2007, the award is a testament to the work and creativity that has gone into creating this unique building. Gert Wingårdh and Tomas Hansen's design for House of Sweden – selected in competition – combines openness and transparency, unusual features in an embassy. It was designed specifically to foster an atmosphere of positive, creative cooperation between two great countries, and to create a base for cultural and commercial exchanges. House of Sweden is managed by the National Property Board Sweden (SFV), www.sfv.se.

West wing view of House of Sweden during day time.

House of Sweden exemplifies the very best of signature Scandinavian simplicity, modernity and unpretentious elegance, wedded to characteristic Swedish practicality and flexibility. It invites and inspires Swedes and Americans in an ongoing creative dialog.

Designed to rest like a shimmering jewel in the surrounding parkland, the blonde wood, stone and glass structure is suffused with light, floating at night like an ethereal vision above its sparkling reflection in the Potomac River.

The building is light and airy, with large glass segments. Light is a key element, both outside and inside. All around the body of the building is a belt of light, back-lit wood, which after dark gives the sense that the building is floating. House of Sweden stands on white pillars and is suffused with Nordic light. The materials are blonde wood, glass and stone, often in layers.

Side view of House of Sweden west wing from Potomac River during the evening.
Terrestrial view of House of Sweden’s glass panel work, designed to resemble natural wood.
Interior view of House of Sweden’s Anna Lindh Hall.
Terrestrial view of House of Sweden’s immense wood panel walls spanning from its ground floor up to rooftop terrace.
Rays of light cascade off of House of Sweden's west wing as the sun sets.
Angled view of House of Sweden against clear blue sky. Displaying glass panel work resembling natural wood.Side view of House of Sweden's large glass panel walls and decorative wood paneled glass.Spacious sky view of elaborate wood paneling inside House of Sweden.Wide angle view of House of Sweden's exhibition hall; Anna Lindh.Rooftop view of Georgetown Washington, D.C. from House of Sweden's rooftop venue.

Artwork by Ingegerd Råman

Swedish artist Ingegerd Råman was commissioned by the National Swedish Public Art Council to assume responsibility for the artistic decor in House of Sweden.

Among other works, she has created a glass piece known as ”March 6 a.m.” - a multi-part work of art that evokes associations with water and ice in the form of slowly running water, glass bearing frostwork patterns and black granite, all key elements in the Swedish landscape.

About Ingegerd Råman

Swedish artist Ingegerd Raman standing next to her multi-part glass work entitled March 6th.
House of Sweden's atrium incorporating Swedish artist Ingegerd Raman multi-part glass work entitled March 6th. Entrance to Swedish Embassy bolstering Swedish artist Ingegerd Raman  multi-part glass work entitled March 6th.Close up of Swedish artist Ingegerd Raman's multi-part glass work entitled March 6th.