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Chief of Mission Residence Modification Project - Nouakchott, Mauritania

Chief of Mission Residence Modification Project - Nouakchott, Mauritania provides a series of welcoming spaces for both diplomatic functions and staff recreational activities while responding to local climate challenges and promoting eco-diplomacy.

Information

Size 39,487 SF
Completion 2025
Services Architecture, Interiors
Project Type Residential

The Chief of Mission Residence Modification Project – Nouakchott, Mauritania (CMR) reimagines a former U.S. embassy site as a new Ambassador’s Residential that serves as a center of diplomatic representation, social gatherings, and embassy recreational activities. The site provides a series of welcoming spaces for both diplomatic functions and staff recreational activities, while addressing local climate change challenges and promoting eco-diplomacy. BNIM completed the master planning, design, and RFP Bridging Documents for this project. The project is currently under construction by the design build contractor and is scheduled to be completed in 2025.

Planning Zones
The master plan emphasizes pedestrian-focused zones by relocating vehicular circulation to the site perimeter and enhancing vegetation. Distinct site zones include public, representational, residential, support, recreational, and areas for the American International School of Nouakchott (AISN). The new gatehouse leads to the representational garden zone, aligning with OBO Design Standards of quality, respect, and openness.

Gatehouse
A new Gatehouse on the east end of the Public Zone and south of the CMR has been designed to act as the main entrance for visitors during events. Once dropped off, visitors will walk through the pedestrian gate and have a view to a breeze block wall that forms an outside room for security.

American International School of Nouakchott (AISN)
The AISN Guard Booth has been expanded to provide a more welcoming, accessible main entrance to the AISN. The design is similar to the Gatehouse but maintains its own identity through the use of color and signage.

Impact + Innovation

The United States was one of the first nations to recognize Mauritania’s independence, and this property, situated near the Presidential Palace, holds historical significance. It is one of the few sites in this desert city with mature trees, making their preservation a priority. The project integrates the local context and history, reflected in the design of new structures such as the Guest House, Meditation Pavilion, Gatehouse, and updated facilities for the American International School of Nouakchott (AISN).

Mauritanian culture, with its rich geometric modularity, influenced the design, visible in Islamic architecture, Bedouin textiles, and local fishing vessels, as well as Chinguetti’s construction techniques. The 1961 mid-century modern design by J.M. Lafon shaped the project. Reinterpreted breeze blocks offer shade, privacy, and airflow, while the triangular patterning draws from Mauritanian traditions. Interiors feature cool neutrals paired with vibrant indigo textiles, blending cultural heritage with modern design to address the desert climate and unify the campus.

Sustainability

Nouakchott is situated where the Sahara Desert meets the Atlantic Ocean, experiencing climate challenges from both advancing desertification and rising sea levels. These conditions have led to numerous challenges, including high temperatures, sandstorms, and flooding.

Sustainable strategies respond to these unique climate conditions, promoting environmental, economic, and community resilience, and enhancing comfort and wellness. The design team set sustainability goals with the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) in six categories: Energy, Water, Ecology, Wellness, Equity, and Resources.

Energy
Design strategies to reduce energy consumption include the use of breeze blocks, canopies, overhangs to minimize solar heat gain and enhance thermal comfort for occupants, operable windows and ceiling fans for natural ventilation, high-performance glazing, efficient mechanical systems, and rooftop solar panels.

Water
Given the region’s water scarcity, water conservation is prioritized for resilience and sustainability. The design targets a 65% reduction in potable water usage from the existing conditions baseline through efficient plumbing fixtures, minimal turf grass, and xeriscaping. The design team developed a water budget that informed the landscape design and results in an 87% water reduction for irrigation needs as compared to existing conditions.

The design also manages 100% of stormwater on site, addressing a significant challenge in Nouakchott, which faces limitations in city-wide storm or sanitary infrastructure.

Ecology
The design significantly increases vegetated area and native/xeriscape plantings while preserving 90% of existing trees and increasing overall tree coverage. This approach maintains ecological balance while meeting potable water reduction needs.

Wellness
Providing spaces for recreation and socialization for embassy employees is an important aspect of this project. The northern corner of the site now includes a picnic pavilion, a synthetic turf multipurpose field, a small gym, and a jogging path around the site. Additionally, the residential area was designed to maximize access to daylight and views to nature, with operable windows strategically placed to enhance wellness and thermal comfort for occupants.

Equity
The project prioritizes providing effective spaces for the site’s workers and staff. Enhanced service areas for household staff are incorporated, alongside the addition of a dedicated breakroom for employees. Additionally, recognizing that 99% of the population is Muslim, a new Meditation Pavilion is provided for staff and visitor use for the call to prayer throughout the day. The existing residence has been renovated to ensure accessibility, including adding the installation of an elevator, barrier-free entry conditions, and accessible restrooms.

Resources
In order to reduce waste and increase resilience, the design aims for a 40% reduction in embodied carbon compared to baseline levels. According to Architecture 2030, over the next decade, 74% of new building greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions will come from embodied carbon. A focus on reducing these emissions is crucial to meeting U.S. targets for a 50% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030. Initial design strategies include reusing existing structures, utilizing local materials, and incorporating low-carbon concrete mixes.

For resilience, the Nouakchott CMR design targets Level 3 passive survivability, ensuring critical life-support conditions can be maintained in the event of prolonged power, fuel, or water disruptions without reliance on public utilities. Strategies include the installation of solar panels, solar thermal hot water systems, backup generators, and potable water storage.