U.S. Embassy Compound
Harare, Zimbabwe

Design/Build
Civil Engineer and Landscape Architect of Record: Cowen Design
Design-Builder: BL Harbert International
Architect of Record : Page

Cowen Design Group served as the Civil Engineer Landscape Architect of Record for the U.S. Embassy Compound in Harare, Zimbabwe. The project included a private staff garden, outdoor recreational facilities, and a scenic courtyard leading to a veld overlook of preserved grassland trees. The project includes a consular arrival garden outside of the perimeter which ties into the surrounding neighborhood, and provides shade through mature acacias which were preserved throughout the project.

The project captures wastewater effluent and treats it for reuse in the irrigation system, which was designed not to rely on potable water. Several bioretention facilities mimic the natural inundated wetland areas common in the lower elevations around Harare, and serve to reduce runoff from the site. The plant palette incorporates many native and adaptive species which were selected for resilience and drought tolerance, as well as to provide seasonal interest during the rainy season.