The site’s terraced, sloping, and narrowing profile lends itself to a variety of
activity zones, view portals, and opportunities for both the green and built
environment. The original landscape design linked major building entrances
with a dynamically curving roadway passing through an extensive informal
landscape. The overarching design concept for the new site plan repurposes
this with a similar solution that is both informal and inviting—a curving road/
pedestrian linkage between the entrance and arrival court of the new
chancery (on its south side) and that of a future significant building at the north
gate onto Mariscal Lopez Avenue.

The topography of the site offers a unique opportunity for consular visitors
and diplomatic visitors to share an arrival experience. A long concrete canopy
shelters the diplomatic and staff arrival on their procession to the Chancery.
A similar canopy greets consular visitors at the street, offering comfortable
shade before entry to the site. Upon entry, the legacy landscape is in full view
from the consular garden. Both entries share the same double height canopy
that ultimately terminates at a stair leading down into the historic landscape.

Preserving this landscape was critical to maintaining the sense of a community
in a garden setting. The landscape functions as the heart of the narrow
site; this is where 4th of July celebrations occur and embassy staff take
their children to learn how to ride bikes. The original 1950’s design placed the
Ambassador’s residence high on the site overlooking the legacy landscape.
With security and safety concerns requiring the demolition of the residence,
this empty footprint became the front porch of the new chancery, preserving
the landscape and turning over incredible views of the landscape and city to
the staff.

At nearly a quarter of a mile long the site is also quite narrow, with curvilinear paths connecting buildings and gardens across this entire length. To preserve this access and community connection cues were taken from the original 1950’s design via breezeways and canopies. Concrete canopies provide shaded yet transparent paths parallel with the length of the site, queuing up breezeways that lead to courtyards. All building façades take advantage of solar orientation with an integrated passive approach to sun shading through cooling breezeways, deep overhangs and porches which also provide a level of rain protection. Architectural canopy structures are articulated, expressive elements of an appropriate scale, integrated into the architecture throughout the site, becoming the main circulation connections.

The most innovative architecture in Paraguay typically utilizes local brick and the craft that has developed inspired the materiality for the project. Mimicking the color of the earth, local brick ranges in color from red orange to light buff, as does the dense sandstone formations that run beyond borders in the region. This local sandstone was able to meet the durability and longevity needs of the project and by using brick, local craftspeople could participate in creating something familiar.

The site's buildings and landscape are tightly integrated, preserving and leveraging the historic tree canopy, while enhancing stormwater and water use on site. Key building performance features include: collection and storage of rainwater on site, meeting OBO’s stormwater detention and retention guidelines while achieving 100% non-potable water for irrigation; preserving existing trees that will continue to function as habitat for migrating birds; and abundant daylight and views from most workplaces, reinforcing an overarching biophilic design approach that emphasizes connection to nature and the surrounding landscape.