U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson

For Immediate Release August 20, 2013 2013

United States Breaks Ground On New Embassy in Cotonou, Benin

In an important symbol of our enduring friendship with Benin, U.S. Ambassador to Benin, Michael Raynor, broke ground on the new U.S. Embassy in Cotonou today.

The multi-building complex will be situated on an 8.8-acre site along the Boulevard de la Marina and will include a chancery/office building, a support annex, a residence for the U.S. Marine detachment, a warehouse, a utility building, a recreational facility, and multiple access pavilions. When completed, the new complex will provide approximately 150 embassy employees with a secure, state-of-the-art, environmentally-sustainable workplace.

The $178 million project will incorporate numerous sustainable features, including a 250-kilowatt photovoltaic array, rainwater harvesting, wastewater reuse, light-emitting diode (LED) site lighting, and water-conserving plumbing fixtures. The facility’s design targets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Silver Certification by the U.S. Green Building Certification Institute.

Yost Grube Hall Architecture of Portland, Oregon was the concept design architect and Page Southerland Page of Arlington, Virginia was the architect of record. B.L. Harbert International of Birmingham, Alabama is the construction contractor. The new Embassy is scheduled to be completed in fall 2015.

Since 1999, as part of the Department’s Capital Security Construction Program, OBO has completed 106 new diplomatic facilities and has an additional 33 projects in design or under construction.

OBO’s mission is to provide safe, secure, and functional facilities that represent the U.S. government to the host nation and support our staff in the achievement of U.S. foreign policy objectives. These facilities should represent American values and the best in American architecture, engineering, technology, sustainability, art, culture, and construction execution.

For more information on the project, please visit http://www.state.gov/obo/releases/cotonougroundbreaking/index.htm, or contact Christine Foushee at FousheeCT@state.gov or (703) 875-4131.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE BUREAU OF OVERSEAS BUILDINGS OPERATIONS

U.S. EmbaSSy Colombo, Sri lanka GroUnd brEakinG FaCT SHEET dECEmbEr 2016

Design Architect ZGF Architects, LLP

Architect of Record Integrus Architecture

General Contractor Caddell Construction Co.

Site 5.7 acres

Total Project Budget $281 million

General InformatIon • The multi-building complex will be constructed on the current Embassy site, which has expanded to include an

adjacent property. The Embassy is situated in a prominent location on Galle Road along the seafront in central Colombo.

• The project includes a Chancery, Marine Security Guard Residence, support buildings, and facilities for the Embassy community. The new Embassy will meet all of the required security standards.

• The new Embassy campus will provide a secure, modern, and environmentally sustainable platform for diplomacy.

• The construction contract was awarded in April 2016, and completion of the project is anticipated in 2020.

DesIGn anD ConstruCtIon

• The chancery exterior will provide integrated climate protection through deep overhangs and sun screens. Large “porches” mark the main entries and provide communal space for staff and visitors. These features are modern interpretations of elements of the local vernacular architecture.

• The landscape design features plants that are indigenous to Southern Asia, as well as high-quality local paving and hardscape materials, and integrates storm water management.

• An estimated workforce of 700 American, Sri Lankan, and third-country workers will be involved in the construction of the new Embassy.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE BUREAU OF OVERSEAS BUILDINGS OPERATIONS

sustaInabIlIty

• The project is registered with the U.S. Green Building Council for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) green building rating system and is projected to earn LEED® Silver status.

• The 172 kilowatt (kW) photovoltaic solar array is estimated to provide 11 percent of the new office building’s annual energy use.

• Rainwater will be captured, stored, and reused for irrigation. It is projected to supply 87 percent of the site’s irrigation needs.

• Excavated soil from the compound will be converted into sand and re-used on-site as a recycled material.

art

• The permanent art collection, curated by the Office of Art in Embassies, will include art in a variety of media, including painting, photography, textile and sculpture.

• Artists will be included from both the United States and Sri Lanka. The ultimate focus of the collection will be artwork that creates a dialogue between the American works and host country artists that are compatible with cultural values shared by both our countries.

Contact Information James Russo Christine Foushee Public Affairs Officer OBO Director of External Affairs U.S. Embassy Colombo U.S. Department of State +94-11-249-8140 | RussoJL@state.gov FousheeCT@state.gov

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson

For Immediate Release July 8, 2015 2015

United States Dedicates New U.S. Embassy in Cotonou, Benin

In an important symbol of enduring friendship with Benin, Under Secretary for Management Patrick F. Kennedy, U.S. Chargé d’affaires Todd R. Whatley, and Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations Managing Director for Construction, Facility, and Security Management Eric Rumpf, alongside local officials, dedicated the new U.S. Embassy in Cotonou today. The new $189 million campus is situated on an 8.8-acre site along one of the city’s main thoroughfares, Boulevard de la Marina, close to other diplomatic and ministerial buildings near the city center. Sustainable features to conserve resources and reduce operating costs include photovoltaic panels, light-emitting diode (LED) site lighting, water-conserving plumbing fixtures, wastewater treatment, and drought-tolerant landscaping. Yost Grube Hall Architecture of Portland, Oregon, is the design architect, and PAGE of Washington, D.C., is the architect of record. B.L. Harbert International of Birmingham, Alabama constructed the complex. Since 1999, as part of the Department’s Capital Security Construction Program, the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) has completed 122 new diplomatic facilities and has an additional 39 projects in design or under construction. OBO’s mission is to provide safe, secure, and functional facilities that represent the U.S. government to the host nation and support our staff in the achievement of U.S. foreign policy objectives. These facilities should represent American values and the best in American architecture, engineering, technology, sustainability, art, culture, and construction execution. For more information on the project, please visit http://overseasbuildings.state.gov/releases/kits/, or contact Christine Foushee at FousheeCT@state.gov or (703) 875-4131.

 

U.S. EmbaSSyCotonoU, bEnin DEDiCation FaCt SHEEt JUly 2015

Design Architect Yost, Grube, Hall Architects

Architect of Record PAGE

General Contractor B.L. Harbert International

Total Project Budget $189 Million Yost, Grube, Hall Architects

In an important symbol of enduring friendship with Benin and as part of the U.S. Department of State’s Capital Security Construction Program, the United States dedicated a new U.S. Embassy Complex in Cotonou on July 8, 2015.

General Information • The new Embassy complex is located on an 8.8-acre site along one of the city’s main thoroughfares,

Boulevard de la Marina. The site is in close proximity to other diplomatic facilities and ministerial buildings near the city center, and is 1.2 miles away from the airport and seaport.

• The compound includes an office building, Marine Security Guard residence, support annex, warehouse, utility building, and other facilities for the embassy community.

• The new Embassy provides a state-of-the-art, environmentally sustainable workplace for more than 200 employees.

• Construction commenced in April 2013 and was completed in early summer 2015.

Design & Construction • The new Embassy design is organized into distinct zones: representational, consular, general embassy

staff work area, service, support, and open landscape.

• The complex design reflects the character of the local environment, and the primary buildings feature specialized two-story sunscreens that provide sun control and privacy, while allowing views.

• Light-colored exterior building materials were used to help reduce the “heat island effect.” The office building and Marine Security Guard residence are clad in light-colored granite. Other exterior materials include metal panels, ceramic tiles, and cement plaster.

• Visitors to the complex will be invited through a gateway plaza and consular garden with integrated site lighting and plantings. Exterior walkways and parking areas introduce trees for shading. Walkway patterns and stones are based on local textile methods and materials.

U.S. DEPaRtmEnt oF StatE BUREAU OF OVERSEAS BUILDINGS OPERATIONS

• The new office building features an Information Resource Center to enhance local outreach and U.S. public diplomacy efforts.

• An estimated $32 million was invested in the local economy and over 900 Beninese workers performed more than 3.5 million local man-hours. Many of those workers learned a trade to raise the standards of construction in the Benin community.

Sustainability The project is registered with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®• ) program,

targeting a Silver certification.

• Notable features include a 278 kilowatt - photovoltaic array (PV), rainwater harvesting, and the reuse light-emitting diode (LED) site lighting, water conserving plumbing fixtures, and a sunshade feature.

• The site design maximizes the use of locally sourced drought-tolerant plantings and trees.

Art • The art collection consists of more than 40 works in a variety of media, including several site-specific

commissions to be installed throughout the Chancery and on the grounds of the Embassy.

• The collection includes works by contemporary artists from both the United States and Benin. Each piece has been carefully selected for its quality and ability to promote cross-cultural dialogue through the arts.

• All works in the exhibition relate to the act of creative reuse, a theme commonly explored by contemporary artists in both countries. The exhibition will be accompanied by a printed catalogue, designed to assist embassy personnel with interpretation and educational outreach.

EdJohnetta Miller, Untitled (pieced fiber) Charles McGee, “Play Patterns” Charles Philippe Jean Pierre, “African Blues Brothers”

Contact Information Francisco Paco Perez Christine Foushee Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Embassy Cotonou OBO Director of External Affairs (229) 21300312, ext. 711 | Perezfp@state.gov 703-875-4131 | FousheeCT@state.gov

U.S. DEPaRtmEnt oF StatE BUREAU OF OVERSEAS BUILDINGS OPERATIONS www.state.gov/obo