Project for the Italian Embassy, Washington

In 1987 Magistretti participated in the competition for the construction of the new Italian Embassy on Whitehaven Street in Washington (later built by other designers). The site is unique; it faces a sloping woodland and river on one side and Georgetown on the other. Magistretti decided to propose a multi-building project with which to conjure up "memories of typical Italian landscapes" (Casabella, 1993, p. 62).

The design of the complex revolved around an internal square to be used for open-air events and as the hub between the three main buildings. The first building, facing east and nestling along the hillside, was to include an auditorium with 400 seats, a small conference room, a restaurant and a library. The porticoed second building was to be used as offices open to the public, e.g., the Consular Chancery. All the other activities envisaged in the contract notice, including the area for the Head of Mission, were located in the third building, a square plan tower.

The multifaceted plan was reflected in the elevation: a base supporting multiform volumes differing in height and rising like medieval towers; all the towers had similar finishings and a series of big panoramic windows overlooking the surroundings.