Structural works completed on new US embassy building

Structural works on the new US embassy building in Baneasa have been completed, the embassy has announced. The works started in June 2009 and the new building is set to be occupied by summer 2011.

The new embassy compound is located on a 40,000-sqm lot in a mixed commercial and residential community in the northern part of the city, adjacent to the Tunari Forest. The structure is 18 meters high. It has three floors, and a surface of 10,000 sqm. A total of 15,000 cubic meters of concrete have been used. The construction project is estimated to contribute USD 60-80 million to the Romanian economy.

In accordance with US law, the contract for the design and construction of the new facility was awarded to a US company, American International Contractors (AICI-sp) – Special Projects, in September 2008. Prominent Romanian contractors and construction service firms such as Bog’Art, Sommering, Apolodor , CamServ, Master Build, Green Shop, Alusystem, NM Construct, Lafarge, Schindler-Romania and Meva have been hired by AICI-sp to be directly involved in the project.

The embassy required the contractors to certify the building meets the strict guidelines of the United States Green Building Council and its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Program.

The design of the new embassy draws on innovative technology in the areas of efficient water use, optimization of energy performance, management of construction material and waste, and the creation of open and green spaces to reduce heat-producing surfaces. The contractors will use ecological paint and construction materials to reduce heat and chemical emissions into the atmosphere. The placement of the building and the windows’ orientation are designed to make maximum use of natural light. The contractors will install innovative lighting technology that will automatically modify intensity depending on the natural light intensity. Water consumption inside and outside the building will be reduced. In order to take up less space, the parking structure will be two floors, and the site’s location was chosen to be close to bus stops in order to encourage the use of public transportation.

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