Design took inspiration from local Mayan archeological 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 column footings to speed work. Crews excavated the footing area, placed formwork in and then concrete grout on the outside, eliminating the need to later backfill and compact the soil.

The building features 350 kW of onsite solar power generation. Its energy efficiency measures include air-cooled chillers with heat recovery, optimized daylighting controls and upper floors extending beyond the ground-level footprint to create a shaded walkway around the facility. “The completed facility stands as a testament to the team’s dedication, and to [the contractor’s] continued partnership” with the U.S. State Dept. in building safe and secure structures, Veal says.