flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

The recently opened U.S. Embassy in Ankara reflects U.S. values while honoring Turkish architecture

Government Buildings

The recently opened U.S. Embassy in Ankara reflects U.S. values while honoring Turkish architecture

The building’s courtyards create a direct path from the public way to the front door, and the façade’s concrete screen provides both daylight and security.


By Novid Parsi, Contributing Editor | July 13, 2023
U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, designed by Ennead Architects  Photo: Scott Frances
Honoring local Turkish culture and rich architectural traditions, Ennead Architects designed a new U.S. Embassy that fosters diplomacy, community and intellectual exchange. Photo: Scott Frances

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) has recently opened the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey. The design by Ennead Architects aims to balance transparency and openness with security, according to a press statement. The design also seeks both to honor Turkey’s architectural traditions and to meet OBO’s goals of sustainability, resiliency, and stewardship.

“By reinterpreting Turkish design history in a contemporary way, we’re proud to deliver a civic-minded and purpose-driven facility that reflects U.S. values of transparency, openness, and accessibility,” Felicia Berger, Ennead principal and project manager, said in the statement.

On the sloped, nine-acre site, the project’s series of courtyards draws inspiration from Turkish courtyard design. The inclined procession eliminates the need for stairs, creating a direct path from the public way to the front door.

The Embassy’s main arrival plaza serves as the first courtyard. Set back from the street, the landscaped courtyard, with trees and other plants, blurs the boundary between the Embassy and the city, while offering a respite from the surrounding business district.

The recently opened U.S. Embassy in Ankara reflects U.S. values while honoring Turkish architecture
Photo: Scott Frances 

Internal courtyards bring light into the building. They also create outdoor spaces for both large, formal gatherings and quieter diplomatic exchange. 

Ennead selected regionally sourced materials that reflect the history of masonry in Turkey. Materials also were chosen for their low embodied environmental impact, high recycled content, durability, and responsible sourcing. In addition to stone, the Chancery façade’s concrete screen offers daylight and views of the outside, and security and privacy on the inside. Referencing Turkish materials, the interior and exterior incorporate marble, travertines, native wood varieties, and local ceramics.

The Embassy is a LEED Silver Certified building. Energy demand is reduced with highly insulated exterior walls; efficient mechanical, electrical, and lighting systems; and solar thermal water heating. Water consumption is minimized with ultra-low flow plumbing fixtures, climate-appropriate landscaping, and harvested rainwater.

On the Building Team:
Owner/developer: Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO)
Design architect and architect of record: Ennead Architects
Local architect: Emre Arolat Architecture
MEP engineer: Mason & Hanger
Structural engineer: LERA
Protective design engineer: Thornton Tomasetti
General contractor: B.L. Harbert International

U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, designed by Ennead Architects  Photo: Scott Frances
Photo: Scott Frances
U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, designed by Ennead Architects  Photo: Scott Frances
Photo: Scott Frances
U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, designed by Ennead Architects  Photo: Scott Frances
Photo: Scott Frances
U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, designed by Ennead Architects  Photo: Scott Frances
Photo: Scott Frances
U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, designed by Ennead Architects  Photo: Scott Frances
Photo: Scott Frances
U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, designed by Ennead Architects  Photo: Scott Frances
Photo: Scott Frances
U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, designed by Ennead Architects  Photo: Scott Frances
Photo: Scott Frances
U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, designed by Ennead Architects  Photo: Scott Frances
Photo: Scott Frances
U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, designed by Ennead Architects  Photo: Scott Frances
Photo: Scott Frances
U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, designed by Ennead Architects  Photo: Scott Frances
Photo: Scott Frances
U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, designed by Ennead Architects  Photo: Scott Frances
Photo: Scott Frances
U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, designed by Ennead Architects  Photo: Scott Frances
Photo: Scott Frances
U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, designed by Ennead Architects  Photo: Scott Frances
Photo: Scott Frances

 

 

Related Stories

AEC Tech | Nov 12, 2020

The Weekly show: Nvidia's Omniverse, AI for construction scheduling, COVID-19 signage

BD+C editors speak with experts from ALICE Technologies, Build Group, Hastings Architecture, Nvidia, and Woods Bagot on the November 12 episode of "The Weekly." The episode is available for viewing on demand.

Smart Buildings | Oct 26, 2020

World’s first smart building assessment and rating program released

The SPIRE Smart Building Program will help building owners and operators make better investment decisions, improve tenant satisfaction, and increase asset value.

Government Buildings | Sep 14, 2020

Latest addition to Fermilab campus about to begin construction

Lots of natural light and hybrid labs will distinguish the new Integrated Engineering Research Center.

Giants 400 | Aug 28, 2020

2020 Giants 400 Report: Ranking the nation's largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms

The 2020 Giants 400 Report features more than 130 rankings across 25 building sectors and specialty categories.

Sustainability | Aug 11, 2020

Sustainability is key for Denver Water’s modernized campus and distribution system

The utility is showcasing a new admin building and a water reuse plan that’s a first for the state.

Cultural Facilities | Jun 19, 2020

A new ULI report chronicles the depaving of America

Fifteen examples of how parks and green spaces emerged from parking lots, garages, and underpasses.

Green | Mar 9, 2020

BuroHappold commits to all new building projects achieving net-zero carbon by 2030

The engineering firm also launched a long-term partnership with ILFI.

Giants 400 | Jan 23, 2020

Government Buildings Sector Giants Report for 2019 [Updated]

AECOM, HOK, Jacobs, and Turner Construction top the rankings of the nation's largest government buildings sector architecture, engineering, and construction firms, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2019 Giants 300 Report.

Government Buildings | Nov 13, 2019

The Washington Monument reopens with a new visitor center

This is one of several landmark restoration projects underway in the nation’s capital.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category



Government Buildings

One of the country’s first all-electric fire stations will use no outside energy sources

Charlotte, N.C.’s new Fire Station #30 will be one of the country’s first all-electric fire stations, using no outside energy sources other than diesel fuel for one or two of the fire trucks. Multiple energy sources will power the station, including solar roof panels and geothermal wells. The two-story building features three truck bays, two fire poles, dispatch area, contamination room, and gear storage.


halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021