Over 2 000 jobs for US embassy construction
The new embassy campus will host several buildings and, for the first time, host the general public on site.
15 May 2020 | Local News
JEMIMA BEUKES
WINDHOEK
The construction of a new American embassy complex in Windhoek is expected to create more than 2 000 jobs and pump over N$300 million into Namibia's fragile economy over the next three years.
The project, which started this month, will be run by American construction company BL Harbert, which has built over 30 embassies worldwide in the last decade.
A statement issued by the embassy yesterday explained that through the construction phase, dozens of Namibian companies will supply materials and services needed to build a state-of-the-art facility.
“Construction began in May 2020. The move-in date is planned for 2023. The substantial new embassy campus will host several buildings and, for the first time, our new US embassy will host the general public at our main embassy site,” the statement said.
Namibian decor
They added that the new embassy will use materials that evoke the Namibian landscape including the red sand dunes of Sossusvlei, the landscapes of the Kalahari Desert and the sandstone formations of Damaraland.
To this effect, the buildings will be covered in red sandstone and light limestone.
“The campus will use renewable solar energy, minimise water usage and incorporate indigenous trees and other plants exclusively.
“Solar panels will power 50% of the energy needed for the main chancery building. The final topography of the site will be terraced in a manner to maximise the benefits of the limited seasonal rains.”
[email protected]
WINDHOEK
The construction of a new American embassy complex in Windhoek is expected to create more than 2 000 jobs and pump over N$300 million into Namibia's fragile economy over the next three years.
The project, which started this month, will be run by American construction company BL Harbert, which has built over 30 embassies worldwide in the last decade.
A statement issued by the embassy yesterday explained that through the construction phase, dozens of Namibian companies will supply materials and services needed to build a state-of-the-art facility.
“Construction began in May 2020. The move-in date is planned for 2023. The substantial new embassy campus will host several buildings and, for the first time, our new US embassy will host the general public at our main embassy site,” the statement said.
Namibian decor
They added that the new embassy will use materials that evoke the Namibian landscape including the red sand dunes of Sossusvlei, the landscapes of the Kalahari Desert and the sandstone formations of Damaraland.
To this effect, the buildings will be covered in red sandstone and light limestone.
“The campus will use renewable solar energy, minimise water usage and incorporate indigenous trees and other plants exclusively.
“Solar panels will power 50% of the energy needed for the main chancery building. The final topography of the site will be terraced in a manner to maximise the benefits of the limited seasonal rains.”
[email protected]
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