Kathmandu

State-of-the-art building that cost a small fortune

State-of-the-art building that cost a small fortune

By Rishi Singh

Weidlinger Associates provided structural, seismic, and blast engineering services for the structure, which cost about $67 million (Rs 4.34 billion)

• The cost is more than the total aid that the United States has provided to Nepal in 2006-07 — $61.5 million

• The embassy has a main chancery, three Compound Access Control structures,

a Marine Security Guard Quarters, and a utility building

• All the buildings are made of reinforced concrete with large penetrations to

maximise daylighting

• The buildings, which use a deep foundation system, can sustain extremely high seismic forces

• Prime Consultants, Sorg and Associates are also the designers of US Embassy buildings in Iraq and Afghanistan