The U.S. Consulate General Dhahran received a Merit Award for Excellence in Architectural Design as part of the 2024 AIA International Design Awards program. 

Located on the east coast of Saudi Arabia, the new consulate uses the language of the region’s vernacular architecture to promote a sense of community and provide the gravitas required for a diplomatic facility. The complex defines a world-class benchmark for sustainable design through a mix of characterful spaces, realized through passive design strategies for both staff and visitors to congregate.

Organized in a manner that takes cues from the region’s traditional settlements and oriented along an east-west axis to reduce solar heat gain, tightly clustered office, residential and community buildings help define a series of welcoming outdoor spaces. A landscaped consular garden and central event space—evocative of the traditional sahn (courtyard) are naturally protected from the sun, wind, and sandstorms. 

Drawing upon regional architectural heritage, the design includes several innovative features that contribute to its character while mitigating the region’s soaring temperatures. As the consulate’s public face, the chancery’s diagrid structure is made visually compelling through 10-foot insert screens inspired by mashrabiyas, carved-wooden screens. 

The light-diffusing screens balance daylighting requirements against the need to avoid excess heat gain. The facade of the community center features 13 wind towers, which direct and condition prevailing winds into the main outdoor event space allowing it to remain comfortable during the hot season. 

“These awards recognize the ability of outstanding architecture to inspire our fellow practitioners, governments and the public throughout AIA International and the world,” said Yew Kee Cheong, FAIA, MSIA, 2024-25 AIA International President.