The Canadian Embassy building in Mexico City was designed by Etienne J. Gaboury of Winnipeg, previously noted as a church architect, and was inaugurated in 1982. Located at Schiller 529, Col. Bosque de Chapultepec (Polanco), it is a "celebrated" design which features many metaphors meant to evoke various natural landscapes of Canada, as well as integrating a Spanish colonial style courtyard. The total area of the building is 6,500 square metres (70,000 sq ft), including an artium on the first floor, a multipurpose room for hosting events, and an employee cafeteria. The two upper floors contain the diplomatic, cultural, and business offices.[1] Artwork inside the building includes silk banners in autumn colours by Takeo Tanabe and a large wooden totem pole by Tony Hunt.[2]
The embassy delivers a wide variety of services including consular, international business development, and general relations programs by 28 Canada-based diplomats, who are supported by 81 locally-engaged employees. [3]
This building was part of a wave of Canadian embassy construction during the 1970s and 80s meant to win Canada more international exposure and to demonstrate the success of Canadian federalism and internationalism.[4]