U.S. Embassy Compound
Guatemala City, Guatemala

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 and Landscape Architect of Record for the New Embassy project in Guatemala City, Guatemala. The project included a new office building, marine residence, recreational facilities, and ancillary infrastructure. The sitework includes several water features and gathering spaces which utilize shade to provide a climate appropriate space. The grading for the site required a contextual approach to the site topography incorporating a “high and low” design to accommodate the 23 meters of grade difference across the property. Despite the topography, interconnectivity with the building and surrounding environment was necessary for each approach of the property.

The project required significant technical coordination with all engineering systems to accommodate the design intent, including a system of tieback walls for shoring and earthwork, implementation of rainwater harvesting for water features, and wastewater treatment to provide supply to irrigation. The combination of these design considerations provides the sustainable and high performance requirements that are expected of all US Diplomatic facilities.