U.S. Embassy Compound, Praia, Cabo Verde

The new U.S. Embassy Compound (NEC) Praia in Cabo Verde, an island nation off the coast of West Africa, reflects Studio Ma’s commitment to sustainability, equity, and architectural design as a form of leadership through partnership. The design draws inspiration from rich Cabo Verdean heritage, resulting in a campus that feels at once distinctly of a place while balancing complex internationally relevant issues of identity and representation, nationality, U.S. diplomatic mission objectives, programmatic needs, climatic concerns, and rigorous security measures.

From the outset, the experience of the people who work and frequent the Praia NEC was paramount to the design. Studio Ma interviewed many longtime embassy staff members, most of whom are native to Cabo Verde, who cited their priorities as drought-tolerant landscaping for shade during the hot workday as well as communal areas where they could gather, share meals, and play music together.

The Kintal—Kriolu for “outdoor room”—is critical to Cabo Verdean culture. It’s typically seen as a communal gathering space often used for music. For the organization of the Praia NEC, community was placed at the core, organizing the massing around a central courtyard that will be used for representational events, and informal staff gatherings.

Studio Ma used local basalt and limestone throughout the building. These materials reflect two of the many different stones found throughout the volcanic archipelago. As a material, stone naturally resists heat and salt spray—both of which are critical considerations in an extreme environment that experiences high and dry temperatures, annual flooding, and dusty, Harmattan winds.

In consideration of flooding challenges on the site, the project is designed to convey and store stormwater through bioswales, rain gardens, underground storage, and landscapes that actively embrace flooding. Solar panels produce over 80% of the building’s required energy, which is pertinent in a place where energy production is carbon-intensive.