weiss/manfredi breaks ground on US embassy expansion in new delhi

new york city-based practice weiss/manfredi has broken ground on its expansion of the US embassy building in india’s capital city, new delhi. the project aims to re-imagine the iconic embassy, originally built by edward durell stone in 1959, to create a new multi-functional complex that will build upon the legacy of the historic campus. weiss/manfredi was selected as the project’s design architect by the US department of state’s bureau of overseas buildings operations (OBO) in 2015 with the anticipated completion of the entire campus scheduled for fall 2027.

image by weiss/manfredi, courtesy of OBO | video courtesy of OBO

the first phase of weiss/manfredi’s masterplan will include a new office building, a support annex and a connected landscape, bringing welcome areas of greenery and shading. the scheme restores edward durell stone’s early modernist design of the chancery building, creating a vibrant hub for US diplomacy in india, while also defining a sustainable vision for the embassy’s future.

image by weiss/manfredi, courtesy of OBO

the scheme is characterized by its use of landscaping to connect various functions and zones. a tree-lined promenade links all new and existing buildings on the site, introducing reciprocal relationships between buildings and gardens. inspired by india’s enduring tradition of weaving together architecture and landscape, a series of cast stone screens, canopies, reflecting pools, and garden walls introduce a resilient, integrated design language.

image by weiss/manfredi, courtesy of OBO

‘our goal is to create an open, unified campus that is safe and secure,’ explains architects marion weiss and michael manfredi. ‘to do that, we drew upon traditional indian garden elements such as walls, screens, moats, and reflecting pools that provide not only a level of security, but also a connection to the great legacy of indian architecture. the new embassy buildings and gardens reference edward durell stone’s historic chancery, introduce a resilient design language and transform the campus to meet the needs of 21st century diplomacy.’

image courtesy of weiss/manfredi

‘nearly 60 years after the opening of the edward durell stone-designed embassy, the new masterplan by weiss/manfredi will support the next generation of U.S. diplomats in india,’ says kenneth i. juster, U.S. ambassador to india. ‘this design defines a new foundation and sustainable vision for diplomacy, while drawing from the architectural traditions of both countries.’

the original 1959 US embassy building designed by edward durell

the office of art in embassies is curating an art collection that will showcase works from both indian and US artists in a variety of media, including paintings, photography, textiles, and sculptures. highlights include a site-specific work by contemporary artist bharti kher whose stone inlay piece will be integrated permanently into the india-sourced marble flooring for the consular area and a glass installation by american artist spencer finch that will be positioned below the office building’s entry skylight, filling the space with colorful, dappled shadows. a short film about the embassy and its design can be seen at the top of this page.

jacqueline kennedy with ambassador galbraith in the water garden, 1962

president barack obama at the US ambassador’s residence, 2010
(historic photos courtesy of US embassy in new delhi)

project info:

name: US embassy in new delhi
location: new delhi, india
client: US department of state’s bureau of overseas buildings operations (OBO)
architect: weiss/manfredi
status: construction underway, full completion scheduled for 2027