United States Embassy

Political, aesthetic and security considerations guided the design of this embassy compound, which was designed after a bombing destroyed the former embassy.

While providing fortress-like security, the largest U.S. embassy in sub-Saharan Africa also conveys a welcoming sense of openness to the people of Kenya. HOK’s design accomplishes this through the use of three elements: a porch area, outdoor gathering spaces and a separate consular section entrance.

This consular entrance provides a less formal entryway for visitors, accommodating everyday business activities while enhancing security.

Johnnie Carson, a diplomat who has served as U.S. Ambassador to several African nations, called the new embassy “a permanent and living memorial, a triumph of hope and steadfast determination in the face of evil and intolerance.”