The new Embassy campus in Maputo embodies the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations’ (OBO) goals for safe, secure, functional, and resilient facilities that provide a platform for U.S. diplomacy abroad. The project meets the expanding needs of the diplomatic mission in Mozambique. The new buildings represent the best of U.S. architecture, engineering, and construction execution. A concrete, lasting symbol of the United States’ commitment to Mozambique, the multi-building complex occupies a ten-acre site in northeast Maputo in a rapidly developing coastal zone adjacent to the Indian Ocean. 

Design & Construction

Taking advantage of the site’s location along the ocean, the design connects staff and visitors to the natural beauty and culture surrounding the facility. Clad in prefabricated, ultra-high–performance concrete, the exterior is reminiscent of the wood carvings of the Makonde tribe, one of Mozambique’s indigenous groups. The parametric design considered the sun’s angle throughout the year to limit direct sunlight and eliminate glare while maximizing daylight access inside and allowing for unobstructed ocean views. Considering the corrosive coastal environment, special care was taken to use materials that resist the elements and require minimal upkeep. 

Resilience & Stewardship

The new campus incorporates rigorous sustainability and energy-saving goals to reduce environmental impact, optimize building performance, and enhance resiliency. Extensive engineering and site work help to protect the site from flooding, while stormwater runoff is diverted to culverts that infiltrate the water back to the ocean, mitigating flooding of adjacent properties.  The landscape represents the three major biomes of Mozambique—dunes, savannah, and forest—and is integrated to create outdoor meeting and event spaces. Sustainable landscape features include coastal dune restoration, native and regionally adapted plants, and water-efficient irrigation that uses treated wastewater. Registered with the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED^®) green building program, the project’s goal is to receive Silver certification. 

Art

Curated by the Office of Art in Embassies, the Embassy’s permanent art collection features a range of American artists with personal, cultural, or aesthetic ties to Mozambique and Mozambican artists. Alice Hope’s Murmurations 1 is inspired by Maputo’s offshore seine fishers and the movements of schools of fish. The tradition of weaving is seen in the contemporary works by U.S. artist Anastasia Azure, whose nylon and copper floral imagery reimagines what weaving can be, while Mozambican artist Lizette Chirrime’s journey is reflected in her textiles’ abstract forms. Mozambican artist Goncalo Mabunda created six large totems made of automobile parts, mixed media, and recycled objects. Together these works create a dialogue about shared cultures and the continued reinterpretation of traditions.