Project Overview
Situated along the coastal highway of the Madagascar Strait, the new U.S. embassy in Maputo, Mozambique, is a stunning example of what can be accomplished with precast concrete. Spanning 181,694 ft² and featuring an outer layer constructed with ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), the building’s design addresses both functional and security needs, along with environmental and social factors in a manner that reflect U.S. ideals, principles, technical innovation, and design expertise. The embassy is as visually stunning as it is strong, with the perimeter of the structure resembling a meticulously designed veil reminiscent of the wood carvings of the Makonde tribe, an indigenous group native to Mozambique.
A Lasting Symbol
During the project’s planning stage, top priorities included meeting the project’s schedule, addressing on-site storage limitations, and working within specified design parameters. Additionally, the project team knew that they needed a building material with resilient, flexible, and sustainable qualities. Precast concrete was the clear choice, as it not only met all of the aforementioned requirements but also provided a solution that would limit direct sunlight, eliminate glare, maximize interior daylight, and provide unobstructed views for the embassy’s occupants.
According to Jesse Walt, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, architect and associate principal with Integrus Architecture, “precast concrete was chosen for this project for its durability and resistance to the corrosive salt environment inherent in a project located directly on the coast. Ultra-high performance concrete was chosen for its ductility and strength, allowing thinner cross sections and an elegant form while still withstanding hurricane-force winds without deformation and breakage.”
More than 1220 fins varying from 40 to 80 ft in height were installed on the project. These fins incorporate 330 different shapes, accounting for 14,000 ft³ of UHPC. The 265 canopy panels, which were also manufactured with UHPC, cover 17,000 ft² of the building’s roof. Given the complex geometry of the pieces produced, repetitive work on the project was limited. Instead, the project team was challenged with handling most pieces individually, which was difficult because so many different shapes were manufactured.
In addition to offering strength and resilience to the structure, precast concrete plays a considerable role in the sustainable attributes of the new U.S. embassy. While the project initially aimed for LEED Silver certification, it was certified as LEED Gold in late 2022. The UHPC fin system reduces solar heat gain, and the embassy also benefits from low-flow plumbing fixtures, LED light installations with daylighting controls, and a solar hot-water system. These features work in tandem to reduce the embassy’s electricity consumption to 24% below international benchmarks. With its LEED Gold status, the Maputo Embassy is one of 60 U.S. diplomatic missions worldwide that have achieved LEED certification.
Overall, the new embassy exemplifies the best of U.S. architecture, engineering, and construction and serves as a lasting symbol of the U.S. commitment to Mozambique.
“The use of UHPC and precast concrete allowed the design team to meet the strict requirements of providing a safe and secure facility for the U.S. State Department workforce,” Walt said. “The completed project provides jobs for local workers along with a larger regional presence for the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other diplomatic missions of the U.S. State Department.”
Mason Nichols is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based writer and editor who has covered the precast concrete industry since 2013. |