New Consulate General of the United States in Merida
Merida, Mexico
Best Project, Government Building
Presented by BL Herbert International LLC
Owner: US Department of State Overseas Building Operations
Main design company: The Miller Hull Partnership LLP
Architect of record | MEP Engineer: Page Southerland Page
Contractor: BL Herbert International (BLHI)
Civil Engineer: AST Cowen Design Group
Structural Engineer: Ehlert Bryan Inc.
Consultants: Langan Engineering and Environmental Services; American Fire Protection; JEAcoustics; Security design consultants
The team behind this installation overcame numerous challenges to complete the work on schedule and on budget. Multiple storms in October 2020 caused groundwater to reach record levels at the peak of the excavation, flooding the job site and suspending work for two months. Early collaboration, weekly coordination meetings and daily inspections mitigated disruptions, he says.
“As restrictions eased, Merida and surrounding cities in Mexico experienced a post-pandemic construction boom, further intensifying competition for skilled tradespeople,” says Mike Veal, executive vice president of BL Herbert International.
The design was inspired by local Mayan archaeological sites, and the stone-clad atrium is reminiscent of the cenotes, or natural sinkholes found throughout the Yucatan region.
The team used a “reverse formwork” technique for the column footings to speed up the work. Crews excavated the base area, placed formwork and then concrete grout on the exterior, eliminating the need to backfill and compact the soil.
The building has 350 kW of solar energy generation on site. Its energy efficiency measures include air-cooled chillers with heat recovery, optimized daylighting controls and upper floors that extend beyond the ground-level footprint to create a shaded walkway around the facility. “The finished facilities are a testament to the dedication of the team and of [the contractor’s] continued partnership” with the US State Department to build secure structures, Veal says.
