New Embassy Compound

Project Details

Project Description

FROM THE ARCHITECTS:

Tegucigalpa, Honduras (November 6, 2018) – New York City-based SHoP Architects today revealed the first renderings for the New Embassy Compound (NEC) in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. SHoP was selected by the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Overseas Building Operations (OBO) in 2013 to realize facilities that will meet its complex operational needs while embodying and communicating the spirit and highest values of the United States. The firm is currently working with OBO on several projects around the world, including the embassies in Tegucigalpa and Seoul.

The Architecture and Engineering (AE) team has issued final construction documents for the comprehensive project, which also involves development support including investigations, data collection, analysis, design and documentation. The full site plan includes an eight-level chancery, a marine security guard residence, a support annex housing shops and vehicle maintenance, a utility building, warehouse, three compound access pavilions and structured staff parking.

The NEC’s design takes its cues from the mountainous Honduran landscape, forming a sense of connection between the buildings and the surrounding area. The north façade addresses the city, creating a welcoming entrance to the chancery, while the east, west and south facades are more solid. As one traverses the site, the reading of the building changes considerably, from open and transparent to stately and heroic. The material palette plays an important role in connecting interior to exterior, incorporating the copper colored anodized aluminum fins used on the façade and referencing the light-toned limestone, warm, rich woods and dark stone visible throughout. Special attention has been paid to solar shading and thermal comfort, implementing strategies to mitigate solar heat gain and allow for generous daylighting. During the design process, the AE team used various tools, including virtual reality, to make design decisions, modeling all scales to study various construction methodologies.

“The process of designing the NEC in Tegucigalpa has been an incredible partnership between SHoP, the consultants and the OBO team,” said Chris R. Sharples, a founding partner of SHoP Architects. “Design challenges were met through a remarkably efficient, highly collaborative process between all parties and we are honored to be able to represent the United States in this capacity.”

The NEC is expected to break ground in late 2018 and to welcome its first occupants in 2022.