The new U.S. Consulate General Hyderabad supports the continued expansion of U.S.-Indian diplomatic, security, and commercial relations. Located on a 12-acre site in Nanakramguda, the new consulate embodies the State Department’s Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations’ (OBO) mission to provide safe, secure, functional, and resilient facilities that ensure a robust platform for U.S. diplomacy abroad. The project’s sustainable design, construction, and operations display the best of U.S. architecture, engineering, and construction execution.
Design & Construction
The design of the consulate general is influenced by the site’s dynamic topography, characterized by marked rocky formations on a steep slope. Pathways wind through naturally occurring boulder fields and hillside gardens, echoing the ascent to the top of the ancient Golconda fortress—a local historical landmark that looms majestically over the city. Preservation of the site’s expansive rock outcroppings was fundamental in the design and construction process given their cultural significance in the region. The building structures weave between the outcroppings on the site in curvilinear forms and reflect the concept of the “strand” with intertwining disparate elements forming a cohesive whole. Large tensile fabric canopies cover the consular arrival plaza and consular garden, providing visitors and staff protection from the elements. These canopies are part of the rainwater harvesting mechanism that directs captured rainwater to landscaped areas. Cast-in-place white concrete is used throughout the campus due to its strength and resiliency—using a light color palette recalls the traditional use of white plaster across the region. The use of embellished patterns and rich textural qualities in local craft-making is reflected in the design of the bronze metal screen surrounding the building and the selection of interior finish materials. Local stone and native wood are incorporated into the gallery and lobby and reference the country’s rich material palette, while the prevalent use of indigo alludes to Indian block printing and further connects the campus to its local context. A workforce of over 1,000 U.S., Indian, and third-country nationals were employed during construction.
Resilience & Stewardship
The new consulate general employs rigorous energy-saving and sustainability strategies to reduce environmental impact, optimize building performance, and enhance self-sufficiency. Water use is significantly reduced with climate-appropriate landscaping, rainwater harvesting, on-site wastewater recycling, and low-flow plumbing fixtures. These water-saving measures reduce utility costs, minimize stress on local infrastructure, and improve the site’s overall resiliency. The buildings’ exterior shell and strategic orientation mitigate heat gain and allow filtered light to enter the space, effectively reducing energy consumption and HVAC costs. Photovoltaic arrays are affixed on parking structures and are projected to produce around 455 MWh per year. The project is registered with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®), a global green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices, and is projected to achieve Gold certification.
Art
The permanent art collection, curated by OBO’s Office of Art in Embassies, includes art in a variety of media, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, and printing by both U.S. and Indian artists. The collection seeks to create a dialogue of shared values between the people of both countries. Highlights are site-specific commissions that reflect an understanding of the diversity and richness of U.S. and Indian cultural heritage.