But it is the complex functional relationships between buildings that sets it apart, says the BL Harbert International project team.

“Each project includes multiple facility types ranging from Class-A office buildings to maintenance, storage, building-services facilities, facilities for the embassy community and residence quarters,” in addition to physical and technical security elements required of government buildings, the team explains.

The embassy’s interiors aim to create a cohesive aesthetic, pairing eco-conscious design with cultural customs.
Photo By Amber Silva

Adding another element of complexity to the project was the lack of skilled local labor needed to safely construct the campus. The team says that around 70 third-country nationals, “representing 21 different nationalities,” served in leadership roles to mentor and train about 1,500 Nigerians as Harbert employees, contributing more than 6 million work hours to the project. The hands-on skilled training locals received not only enabled them to work on the project but also gave them tools needed to advance in their respective crafts and continue skilled construction work in their communities.

In the end, collaboration was key to bringing all the logistical and labor elements of the project together, says the team.

Embassy interiors aim to create a cohesive aesthetic, pairing eco-conscious design with cultural customs.
Photo By Amber Silva