New U.S. Embassy Honored for Reducing Environmental Impact and Optimizing Building Performance

The new U.S. Embassy in Paraguay is registered with USGBC’s LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) with a goal of silver certification, exemplifying the U.S. State Department’s goals for sustainable and socially responsible embassies and consulates. 

LEED® is a green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices – with the mission to “transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built, and operated in order to ensure a socially responsible and prosperous environment that fosters a greater quality of life.”

The LEED® certification framework provides a foundation for resilient, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings. It is an internationally recognized certification for sustainability, achievement, and leadership. LEED®-certified buildings prioritize environmental sustainability and building efficiency while ensuring the comfort, health, and wellbeing of occupants.

The new embassy’s sustainable features optimize energy performance by 48 percent. The campus is also expected to reduce water use by 30 percent through water-efficient landscaping and innovative wastewater reuse technology. The embassy location will continue to provide easy access to public transportation, promoting development density and community connectivity.

The 14-acre site of the new embassy is also a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat. The campus has been recognized for its commitment to sustainably providing fruit and flower-bearing trees like mangoes, lapachos, and jacarandas. The site provides all the essentials for wildlife habitat, including water, shelter, and places for animals to raise their young.