US Embassy Buildings, Suva, Fiji

The project was comprised of three main buildings: A warehouse containing storage, shops and transfer functions; a Recreation Facility; and, a Service Compound Access Control (SCAC). There were also three smaller structures: a Mail Screening Facility; a small Parking Canopy; and, a Waste Water Treatment Plant. Each structure will be designed for live, seismic and wind loads as required by OBO Building Code 2017. A variety of building materials were used for construction: concrete, reinforcing steel, structural steel and metal deck. Material strength requirements, testing and quality control followed the guidelines as set forth in the OBO Building Code 2017, the International Building Code 2012 and Bridging Documents. These structures were located in a high Seismic and Hurricane prone zone (190 mph).

Building Description: The Warehouse Building (WHE) is a one-story structure with a partial basement. It has both high and low roof levels and the building walls are constructed of concrete. The low roof areas are framed using concrete slabs supported by concrete beams and bearing walls. The low roof over the shops is framed using metal deck supported by steel beams which are supported by steel tube columns located within the perimeter walls. This low roof also acts as a canopy over the area-way between the shops and warehouse. The high roof over the warehouse is framed using metal deck supported by steel beams and steel girders. The girders are supported by tube columns which are braced by the perimeter concrete walls.

The Recreation Facility (REC) is a one-story concrete framed structure consisting of a concrete roof slab supported by concrete beams and bearing walls. The REC building will be designed for blast. To the west of the REC building there is a small one-story storage shed that will also be constructed of concrete. The multi-use space between the REC building and the shed is covered by a canopy which is framed using metal deck supported by steel beams. The steel beams are supported by the exterior concrete walls of the REC building and the shed. There is also a small parking canopy to the east of the REC building that will be constructed of structural steel cantilevered frames.

The SCAC is a one-story simple concrete framed structure consisting of a concrete roof slab supported by concrete beams and concrete bearing walls.
At the south end of the site there is a new below grade Waste Water Treatment Plant that will be constructed of concrete.

The perimeter walls will require upgrades for anti-ram and anti-climb.