Diplomacy by design.

Being selected as Lead Designer for a US Embassies contract is as good as it gets. The competition is fierce and in the case of our first five-year contract, it started with a list of 99 firms nationwide. Our firm’s reputation for sustainable design, and our integrated approach to design demonstrated on our SYLPOE contract, helped us win this commission of a lifetime. Our first assignment was to design a new US embassy in Niamey, Niger.  The United Nations ranked Niger 189 out of 189 countries for their Human Development Index, meaning this country is generally recognized as the poorest country in the world.  

Designing a new US embassy in the capital city of a country such as this is humbling. Diplomacy by Design is a term often used by the Department of State to guide architects in the design of new US embassies and consulates. These buildings are symbols of the values and aspirations of the American people. At the same time, they must respond to the local culture, climate and context. Drawing upon field research around Niamey, I was immediately drawn to the consistent color scheme, the result of the color of the local soil used for the walls of vernacular architecture, and the red primer paint ubiquitously used for metal roofs and fabrications such as gates. Providing shade for both the building and its occupants led to the distinctive collection of metal fabrications, while providing a nod to the ad-hoc approach used by local craftsmen.  

This project will be complete in 2020.