Western Hemisphere: United States Dedicates New U.S. Embassy in Paramaribo, Suriname

As a symbol of our enduring relationship with Suriname, Under Secretary for Management Patrick F. Kennedy, U.S. Ambassador Edwin R. Nolan, and the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) Principal Deputy Director William Moser, alongside local officials, dedicated the new U.S. Embassy in Paramaribo on October 5.

The multi-building complex, on an 8-acre site in the Morgenstond development, includes a chancery, support buildings, and facilities for the Embassy community. The new complex will provide embassy employees with a safe, secure, and sustainable workplace.

The $164 million project incorporates numerous features to conserve resources and reduce operating costs, including a rainwater harvesting system, a light-colored 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.

ZGF Architects, LLP, of Portland, Oregon is the architect and BL Harbert International, LLC, of Birmingham, Alabama is the construction contractor.

Since 1999, as part of the Department’s Capital Security Construction Program, OBO has completed 133 new diplomatic facilities and has an additional 53 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.