In an important symbol of our enduring friendship with Suriname, U.S. Ambassador to Suriname Jay N. Anania, participated in a construction commencement ceremony for the new U.S. Embassy in Paramaribo today. Minister of Justice and Police, Edward Belfort, represented the Government of Suriname at the ceremony and laid one of the ceremonial bricks.
The multi-building complex will be situated on an 8-acre site in the Morgenstond area and will include a two-story chancery/office building, three access pavilions, maintenance shops, a warehouse, and recreation facilities. When completed, the new complex will provide over 100 embassy employees with a safe, secure, and sustainable workplace.
The project will incorporate numerous features to conserve resources and reduce operating costs, including a rainwater harvesting system, a white roof on the main office building to reduce cooling costs, and light-emitting diode (LED) site lights. The facility’s design targets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Silver Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.
Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects LLP of Portland, Oregon is the design architect and BL Harbert International, LLC, of Birmingham, Alabama is the construction contractor. The new Embassy is scheduled to be completed in summer 2016.
Since 1999, as part of the Department’s Capital Security Construction Program, OBO has completed 111 new diplomatic facilities and has an additional 32 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.
