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Biomes of the KwaZulul-Natal/Maputaland region shape the landscape design and helped inform three distinct planting concept areas on the U.S. Embassy campus in Maputo, Mozambique: dunes, grasslands, and wetlands. The site connects strongly to the native dune landscape along the coast by creating dune landforms and restoring native dune vegetation.
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Site Grading Diagram
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Site Irrigation Diagram
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Native Sand Dunes
A multi-building complex on a 10-acre site northeast of Maputo, the Embassy is located in a rapidly developing coastal zone adjacent to the Indian Ocean. The design team was tasked with designing a complex of buildings — including the Chancery, Marine Security Guard Residence, and support buildings — while meeting the Department of State’s standards for safety and security.
The Embassy had to be a secure, modern, and environmentally sustainable platform for U.S. Diplomacy. Paintings, photography, textile, and sculpture were used to provide a cultural bridge with the host country of Mozambique. Landscape design played a critical role in the new Embassy, with site amenities centered on connecting staff and visitors to Maputo’s natural beauty and culture. Sustainable features include coastal dune restoration, water-efficient native and regionally appropriate plants, a water-efficient irrigation system, and treated wastewater as the sole source for irrigation. Knot designers used local species from the coastal-inland biome to surround and protect the Embassy. Designers also called for using native grassland and forest species to enable a net-zero water use environment.
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