Saudi Arabia Plans Sweeping Renovation Of Its U.S. Embassy

• May 19th

by UrbanTurf Staff

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Saudi Arabia has unveiled plans to renovate and expand its U.S. embassy.

The plan is for the Foggy Bottom property at 601 New Hampshire Avenue NW (map) – built as the headquarters for an insurance company in the late 1950s – to be transformed using the principles of "Salmani Code," a Saudi architectural framework focused on verticality, triangular geometric motifs, and warm stone materiality. HOK is in charge of the renovation.

Three facade options have been presented to the Commission of Fine Arts: one features a new beige limestone frame covered in triangular patterning, a second combines beige limestone with white marble, and a third forgoes a new portal entirely, preserving the existing cornice line more closely. All options incorporate new window systems with aluminum sunshades displaying a triangular motif.

Beyond the facade, the project includes upgrades to both embassy entrances, a new mail facility and business consular building and a new perimeter "anti-climb" fence. An oval drive will anchor the east side of the property, while a landscaped garden terrace and outdoor balcony provide staff amenities on the building's interior-facing elevations.

The proposal will be considered by the Commission of Fine Arts later this week.

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/saudi_arabia_plans_sweeping_renovation_of_its_us_embassy/24641.