Modern In Context: United States

Modern in Context is an investigation of the work of Suman Sorg, FAIA and how principals of contextual modernism are integrated into a variety of projects she has designed.The new 86,000-square-foot U.S. Embassy, in Bridgetown, Barbados includes the renovation of an existing five-story office building and a new addition of similar scale. In response to the challenging site and U.S. Department of State security requirements, Suman Sorg’s design concept combines prevalent vernacular architectural styles with local materials and modernist forms to create an architecture that both reflects important elements of its local context and serves as a symbol of U.S. democratic ideals. The building’s hinged form connects public and private functions with a smaller centerpiece, while the use of locally inspired elements and materials?the rich use of bright color to differentiate scale and volume, deep shading devices to protect against the tropical sun, plaster work with contrasting smooth and textured finishes, honed coral, and naturally finished local wood, for instance?was incorporated to subtly reference the diplomatic mission of the U.S. Embassy.