Caribbean Consular Compound
Overview
Architectural Design // Project Management // Firm: KieranTimberlake
KieranTimberlake was charged with the complete redesign and renovation an existing General Consulate on an island in the Caribbean. The current compound was last updated in the 1960s and the Department was interested in expanding the functions and capacity of the facility. Situated on a difficult clifftop site overlooking a UNESCO world heritage site, the project required a careful balancing of the State Department’s stringent standards and a consideration of the compound’s surroundings. I was directly responsible for the design of the compound landscape, outbuildings, and new office building facade systems.
The project consisted of six buildings in total; a new office building, a consular entry pavilion, a service entrance and parking facility, and building and vehicle maintenance shop. In addition, the existing consular office building and consular generals residence were retained but received a complete interior remodel. In collaboration with OLIN there was also extensive site work performed to create a beautiful landscape with a meandering walking path and outdoor plazas and gardens for consular events.
The project also targeted LEED Platinum certification which was achieved through extensive on site solar, local materials, and novel mechanical and plumbing system design.
The facade of the New Office Building (NOB) consists of a series of dichroic glass fins with a custom frit pattern. These fins serve two purposes, providing self shading for the building, and as a nod to the colorful vernacular architecture of the island. The upper bands of the building use a scalloped UHPC facade panel which conceals and protects the critical functions within the building.
