Mark Cavagnero Associates has been selected as the design architect for the new U.S. Embassy Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago. The facility provides 165,000 square feet of space and implements critical upgrades in adherence with the latest design standards set by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO). Cavagnaro's design prioritizes an enhanced experience for visitors and staff focused on human connection and accessibility that provides encounters with nature throughout.

The new U.S. Embassy Port of Spain will unfold across an 11-acre site of a former country club in the neighborhood of Maraval, replacing the current embassy in the Queen’s Park area. A meandering approach will allow visitors to first encounter the native flora and fauna preserved and integrated throughout the site, which purposefully departs from symmetrical, grand entrances. Each of the embassy’s three arrival points grant views of the landscape within the compound to those approaching the main office building, providing a shared experience for visitors, staff, and dignitaries.

The design also considers the region’s tropical climate and incorporates sun and rain canopies at the public entrances to provide shade and shelter for visitors. Additionally, the design introduces elements informed by Cavagnaro's engagement with local embassy employees and community members, including easy access to public transit and dedicated spaces for social interaction that are integral to everyday life in Trinidad and Tobago. The Design-Build team is led by Caddell Construction Co., with DLR Group as Architect of Record.