British Embassy Rome Photos, Italian Basil Spence Building, Architect, 1970s Design

British Embassy Rome Architecture

Modern Rome Building, Italy – design by architect Basil Spence, Scotland, UK

British Embassy Rome

Address: L’Ambasciata britannica in Italia
Date built: 1971
Design: Basil Spence architect

photos © Adrian Welch

Location: off Via XX Settembre, adj. Porta Pia

Directions: head north (a few blocks) from Termini / Santa Maria degli Angeli

British Embassy Rome architect : Basil Spence

The Embassy of the United Kingdom in Rome is the chief diplomatic mission of the United Kingdom in Italy, San Marino and the Holy See. It is located on Via XX Settembre in Municipio I.

The British Embassy to the Holy See is located in the same compound. The current British Ambassador to the Holy See is Sally Axworthy.

photo © Adrian Welch

British diplomatic flag flying above the Embassy.

The Embassy building at Rome’s Porta Pia was designed by the British architect Sir Basil Spence, and opened in 1971. It replaced a building on the same location bought by the British government in the 19th century, which had been severely damaged in a terrorist attack in 1946.

The building was inaugurated in September 1968. The chancery was noy officially opened until September 1971. The Embassy is a two-storey, square plan building, supported on pilotti (pillars) and built around a courtyard.

The ceremonial approach is from Via XX Settembre. The entrance walkway runs above the main pool and continues beneath the chancery building to the central courtyard and main staircase.

The site and the surrounding architecture played a key role in the design of the building. The site, next to Michelangelo’s Porta Pia within the Aurelian Wall, was scheduled as private park area. Architect Basil Spence’s decision to raise the building on pilotti (pillars) was taken so that it did not obscure the gardens.

Adjacent building to the west – Porta Pia, gate through the ancient walls:

photos © Adrian Welch