The  design  of  the  new  Consulate  in  Hyderabad,  India  skillfully  balances  the  functional  needs  of  space,  security, sustainability,  energy  efficiencies,  and  aesthetics  creating  a  landmark  iconic  building;  it  serves  as  an  expression  of the  local  identity,  reflective  of  the  country’s  rich  history  and  culture.  The  building  acknowledges  its context, surroundings, and responds to the unique features of the site, and climate.  Collaboration with the Art in Architecture team  of  OBO  throughout  the  design  process  ensured  appropriate  integration  of  art  in  the  overall  design  of  the building.  This  project  employed  the  fundamental  principles  of  design  excellence;  it  is  representative  of  the  best  of American Architecture and Government. An integrated delivery process was used to ensure an accelerated schedule, concise communication with all stakeholders, associate architects, and consultants both nationally and internationally, quality control, and adherence to strict budget requirements.                                                       

Concept

Gandhi  led  India  to  colonial  independence  through  his  simple  approach to  teaching  and  encouraging  the  Indian people to spin and weave their own cotton products, short-circuiting the exportation of wealth from the country. The spinning wheel of the weaver is universally recognized as a symbol of independence. This scheme borrows from this concept  of  intertwining  disparate  functional  elements  into  a  cohesive  whole.  The  functional  strands  of  the  building program are brought together in a continuous element that links the high side of the site to the low side at the base of the bowl. The Strand concept links the main entry at the high side of the site to the service entry at the low side by weaving a linear  building  between  significant  rock  outcroppings.  The  site  organization  clearly  separates  the  public  and service sides  via  the  main  consular  building.  The  northeast façade  curves  to  create  a  receptive  gesture  to  both  the  main views  to  the  site  and  the  internal  consular  garden.  Additionally,  this  organization  provides  a  protective  edge  from westerly  monsoonal  storms  and  focuses  the  view  to  the  native  boulder  formations  as  well  as  the  adjoining  open space. (Federal IDIQ)