The building design offers a strong presence for the new U.S. Embassy that balances transparency
and openness with security. A monumental lobby highlights rich material traditions of Turkey including
local Marmara marble, various travertines, native woods and local ceramics. Designed as a series of
courtyards that rise up the steeply sloped site, the site plan creates s formal organizational structure
for circulation of visitors and staff across the campus.
The chancery is a singular architectural structure with a series of internal courtyards. The main
courtyard is the center around which community and shared programs are located. It is landscaped
with native plantings and designed as several gathering spaces within the whole, larger ones for
formal gatherings and smaller gardens for casual repose. The courtyard features an ultra-high-performance
concrete screen based on traditional Turkish precedents. The Chancery facade is built
with local stone connecting the Embassy to its local context. The stone is also designed to create
screens which provide the security and privacy an embassy requires while simultaneously providing
solar control, daylight, and views to the city beyond.
Heintges provided building envelope consulting services during design and construction phases.
(Image Credit: Scott Frances/OTTO (designed by Ennead Architects))