Washington, DC (May 2024)
KCCT, in association with lead designer Bates Smart, is pleased to announce that the Embassy of Australia is a winner of the 50th annual IIDA Interior Design Competition. Winning projects were selected by a jury of distinguished design experts for outstanding, innovative, and original interior design.
“This was an outstanding collaboration from the entire multi-national project team,” said KCCT Principal and President John Chapman, AIA. “We are proud to have created such a profound symbol of Australia’s rich cultural heritage.”
The interiors represent the vastness of Australia with materials, patterns, and textures inspired by the native landscape. Timber paneling and screens evoke the atmospheric interplay of dappled light filtering through tree canopies and views through Eucalypt forests, creating a layered perspective and a sense of privacy, closeness, and curiosity. Furnishings showcase leading Australian designers and manufacturers. Paintings, sculptures, and specialty rugs based on First Nation artwork in ceremonial areas celebrate Australia’s rich history and create inviting spaces for cultural exchange.
Firm History
Washington, DC-based KCCT is a multidisciplinary design firm focused on planning, architecture, and interior design in urban environments. The firm’s unique practice features a regional portfolio ranging from historic preservation to institutional and commercial designs. With over 40 years of experience in international design, KCCT also brings a global perspective to our work with diplomatic, military, and transportation projects in over 185 cities abroad. KCCT’s values are innovative design, technical quality, and an unwavering dedication to service.