Apart from the embassies, the building, which is owned by the Swedish state through its National Property Board, also houses representatives of Swedish commerce. Facilities includes a secretariat, exhibition space, 19 corporate office suites, and a high-tech business event center.
Building
The building was designed by the Swedish architects Gert Wingårdh and Tomas Hansen, with VOA Associates in Washington, D.C., as architect of record. It has five floors and a total surface of 7,500 square metres (81,000 sq ft). The front of the building is glass. Construction began in August 2004 and completed in the summer of 2006. The embassy moved into the building at the beginning of August 2006. Previously the embassy was housed in rented space, first at Watergate 600, and later at 1501 M Street N.W.
The House of Sweden is designed in the modernist style, with many Scandinavian design elements; in addition to glass, the building features use of white stone and blond maple materials.[2]