EMBASSY BRASILIA PHASE 2 RENOVATION ADOPTS GREEN DESIGN

UNCLAS BRASILIA 000955 SIPDIS DEPT PASS OBO WASHDC FOR DONNA MCINTIRE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV EAGR EAID TBIO ECON XR BR SUBJECT: EMBASSY BRASILIA PHASE 2 RENOVATION ADOPTS GREEN DESIGN GUILDELINES ¶1. The US Embassy Brasilia will be embarking on a Phase 2 Renovation of the Embassy Chancery starting in FY2009 or FY2010. Recognizing the growing importance of environmental issues in Brazil and South America, the Executive Office of the Embassy Brasilia requests that the Office of Buildings Operations (OBO) of the Department of State give the highest priority to environmental sustainability in the design and construction of the facility renovation. Per our understanding of OBO's Energy and Sustainable Design Program, a wide range of environmentally-appropriate technologies and strategies can be incorporated into facility renovations, resulting in improved operational efficiency and reduced ecological impact. ¶2. It is hoped that OBO's Phase 2 Renovation design and construction plan, will give thorough attention to optimize energy efficiency and environmental soundness of the following systems: Exterior security lighting systems, internal lighting systems and controls, internal air circulation systems and HVAC controls (for cooling only),internal potable water systems (use of innovative bathroom fixtures),potential use of solar water heat (as appropriate),efficient bathroom hand dryer systems (evaluation of long-term cost of hand driers or paper towels),use of appropriate roof insulation, efficient collection systems for waste and recyclables, and other systems. ¶3. Local sourcing of building materials (as appropriate) would be desirable to reduce the ecological impact of the renovation, and potentially enable Mission Brazil to showcase the newly renovated facility as a state-of-the-art commitment to high energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. KUBISKE