LEED Gold Certification for U.S. Embassy in Burundi

The Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations Announces LEED Gold Certification for U.S. Embassy in Bujumbura, Burundi

Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
March 25, 2014

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The new U.S. Embassy project in Bujumbura, Burundi received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Gold certification under LEED for New Construction and Major Renovation. The U.S. Embassy is the first building in Burundi to receive LEED certification.

The facility was designed to reduce energy costs by 52 percent from the baseline building (ASHRAE 90.1-2004). This was accomplished though architectural shading and a white roof to reduce cooling costs; light-emitting diode (LED) task lighting; occupancy sensors; electric traction elevators; and variable frequency drives for pumps, fans, and motors. Additionally, the embassy yields emission-free power through the use of 960 solar panels, which are expected to produce 453,454 kilowatt hours annually.

Furthering the commitment to sustainable design, the facility is projected to reduce water consumption by a calculated 39 percent from the baseline case through the use of low-flush and low-flow plumbing fixtures. All water used at the embassy is treated on-site and reused for irrigation. The amount of water needed to irrigate landscape plantings is reduced by utilizing plants native to the region.

The design architect is Perkins+Will of Washington, DC and the architect of record is Einhorn Yaffee Prescott Architecture & Engineering of Albany, New York. The facility was constructed by Caddell Construction of Montgomery, Alabama.

The Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations’ (OBO) 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.

ENDS

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