Located on a 12.8-acre site in the Klein Windhoek neighborhood along the historic Nelson Mandela Avenue in Windhoek, Namibia, this multi-building project supports the important U.S.–Namibian diplomatic and commercial relations and embodies the mission of Overseas Buildings Operations to provide safe, secure, functional, and resilient facilities that provide a robust platform for U.S. diplomacy abroad.

The new buildings’ are seamlessly integrated to ensure sustainable design, construction and operations that represent the best of U.S. architecture, engineering, and construction execution. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill is the design architect. B.L. Harbert International is the construction contractor with PAGE Architects as architect of record. Throughout the project, an estimated $17 million will be invested in the local economy and more than 2,000 Namibians will be employed during its construction. Completion is anticipated in 2023.

Designed to accommodate the site’s slope, the new campus takes advantage of a terraced landscape to mitigate the effects of erosion and maximize the benefits of the limited seasonal rains. The Chancery’s east-west orientation provides views over the Klein Windhoek River basin and reduces solar heat gain while working within existing water drainage patterns. Clad in red-sandstone, the building echoes the Namibian landscape and evokes the colors and imagery of natural landmarks such as the nearby Kalahari Desert, the sandstone formations of Damaraland, and the iconic Sossusvlei dunes located in the southern part of the Namib Desert. The support buildings contrast the main structure with light-colored limestone that blends with the local stone found on site, anchoring the structures into the landscape. The American Center will be an integral part of the Chancery, incorporating its programs into the Embassy’s core. The educational services and events will include classes, presentations featuring local contributors, and programming to promote both U.S. and Namibian culture.

The design of the new campus employs advanced energy-efficiency strategies and systems that will significantly reduce energy demand. Photovoltaic canopies will not only shade vehicle parking areas but also provide approximately half of the Chancery’s energy needs. Passive environmental strategies will reduce heat gain with a carefully calibrated building orientation, self-shading devices, and an optimized façade design. The use of native, drought-tolerant plants and trees help reduce site irrigation needs. The Embassy will integrate with the City of Windhoek’s sustainable water treatment program, which will recycle 99% of the campus’s wastewater to be treated and filtered for potable water use by the city. The project is registered with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) ­­­­­­– a green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices – and has a goal of Silver certification.

The permanent art collection, curated by OBO’s Office of Art in Embassies, will include art in a variety of media, including painting, photography, textile, and sculpture by both U.S. and Namibian artists. The collection will seek to create a dialogue of shared values between the people of our two countries. Highlights will include site-specific commissions that reflect an understanding of the diversity and richness of U.S. and Namibian cultural heritage.