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BUSINESS NEWS NEW AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY TOPS OUT IN DOWNTOWN DC, ONE STEP CLOSER TO COMPLETION The construction of the new Chancery for the Australian Embassy has reached a new milestone with the topping out of the new facility. Clark Construction Group joined Australia’s Ambassador Paul Myler, Chargé d’affaires, Deputy Chief of Mission, Australian Embassy, Washington D.C., to mark the significant milestone which marks the completion of structural concrete and the construction of the building’s full height. Clark Construction Group is leading the construction efforts on the project. Australian architectural studio Bates Smart is the designer, with the D.C.-based architectural firm KCCT serving as the architect of record. Clark constructed the original Bates Smart- designed Australian Embassy building more than 50 years ago. Located in the heart of Washington, D.C.’s Embassy Row, the state-of-the-art, 213,600-square-foot embassy will enable the Australian government to advance its political, security, defense, development, trade, investment, and business relationships with the United States. Once complete, the New Chancery for the Australian Embassy will feature an expansive glass atrium, an open public area looking towards the White House, an exhibition gallery, and function spaces for ceremonial and public events. “Today we mark the ‘topping out’ ceremony for the new Australian Embassy – an important milestone in the construction of the chancery but also a sign that Australia’s new official home in the heart of Washington, D.C. is a step closer to completion,” said the Hon.
Arthur Sinodinos AO, Australia’s Ambassador to the United States. “Australia has no better friend or ally than the United States. It is fitting that this ceremony is taking place in 2021, when we celebrate seventy years of the ANZUS alliance. The new chancery exemplifies the spirit of partnership between our countries – designed by an Australian architectural firm and built by an American construction company. Once complete, I envisage it as a place to experience the best of Australia; to discuss the big issues facing our nations; to do business; and to celebrate our unbreakable bond.” The Clark Construction team has worked within the confines of a tight site, bordered by Scott Circle, the Philippines Embassy, and a historic cathedral-style church with fragile stained-glass windows, to construct the new building within the footprint of the old embassy building. After a year-long effort to demolish the former facility and excavate the below-grade structure, crews began vertical construction in November 2020. Since that time, crews have poured 18,700 cubic yards of concrete and laid 2,600 tons of rebar to bring the embassy to its full vertical height. “This is such an exciting moment for the entire project team,” said Bill Bartling, Clark’s vice president in charge of the new embassy. “The topping out ceremony is an opportunity to pause and recognize the hard work of the craftworkers that have dedicated over 200,000 hours to reach this tremendous milestone.” In addition to showcasing the Australian design, materials, and talent, the new embassy embodies Australia’s global leadership in sustainable design, construction, and innovation. The facility is pursuing the highest
global environmental design certifications available, with features including a thermally efficient façade, a green roof with an extensive photovoltaic array, and the latest building services technologies. The New Chancery for the Australian Embassy is scheduled to open in early 2023. Clark Construction Group, LLC, is one of the nation’s most experienced and respected providers of building and civil construction services companies with annual revenues of approximately $5 billion. Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, the company has offices strategically located to serve clients throughout the country. Bates Smart is a multidisciplinary design firm delivering architecture, interior design, urban design and strategic services across Australia and the world. Our award-winning projects shape the city fabric and the way people work, meet, live, learn and heal. For more than 35 years, KCCT has created innovative and monumental architecture and interior design projects in more than 140 countries since 1983. The firm has worked on more than half of the American diplomatic posts worldwide and numerous landmark buildings in Washington, D.C. KCCT’s team prides themselves on their unconditional commitment to service and design whether delivering high quality architecture, planning, interiors, security, historic preservation, or sustainability projects. KCCT has received dozens of regional, national, and international design awards, including honors from The American Institute of Architects, World Architecture News, the United States General Services Administration, and the Department of State.
SUSAN MILLER, from page 3
a valuable learning experience for our interns that has included field trips, town halls, TEDx Talks, development opportunities, trivia nights, and volunteer events. Since the inception of the Intern Experience, we’ve hired many people who have graduated from the program and have added more activities to provide opportunities for interns to connect with one another and with leaders in our company. Every year, we ask ourselves, “What did we learn from our interns this summer?” Our answer is always the same: A great deal. Our interns are eager to grow professionally, uniquely talented, bold, innovative, and ready to make their mark on the AEC world and beyond. Whether they become full-time employees, future business partners, or leaders in our industry, we are grateful to have shared this experience with them. SUSAN MILLER is WSB’s director of learning and works closely with leadership to identify and deliver professional development and training opportunities to staff. Susan’s experience designing curricula, implementing instructional strategies, and leading educational initiatives helps drive WSB team members to further their learning. Contact her at smiller@wsbeng.com.
intern experience. This becomes even more valuable as organizations across the country are experiencing a talent shortage. “Our interns are eager to grow professionally and ready to make their mark on the AEC world and beyond. Whether they become full-time employees, future business partners, or leaders in our industry, we are grateful to have shared this experience with them.” In 2016, WSB launched the Intern Experience program. The talent market is competitive and bringing our industry’s best and brightest to WSB is important to us. The Intern Experience is intended to help our firm recruit, engage, and retain staff. Through this program, we create
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THE ZWEIG LETTER SEPTEMBER 27, 2021, ISSUE 1410
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