Dec. 2005

(Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia) - H.B. Zachry Company – International (HBZI) reached substantial completion of the $51.7 million U.S. Embassy compound on Oct. 1, more than one month before the original deadline. HBZI contracted with the U.S. Department of State’s Overseas Building Operations Bureau (OBO) in late 2002 to design and construct the compound as part of the State Department’s new embassy construction program that involves the development and construction of more than 70 new embassy complexes worldwide over the next 10 years.

“We successfully completed and delivered a very complicated project ahead of schedule and under budget,” said Project Engineer Chris Horton. “To do that halfway around the world with mostly local craftsmen was a truly satisfying achievement.”

The scope of the work involved site adaptation of a Standard Embassy Design (SED) with the incorporation of some unique site details. The SED identifies specific requirements through embedded architectural and engineering concepts to assure that new facilities are safe, secure and functional.

The Phnom Penh project included structural, architectural, mechanical and electrical activities on the main Chancery building, three Compound Access Control buildings, the Utility building and the Marine Guard quarters. HBZI was also responsible for implementation of full operational site capabilities such as parking facilities, landscaping and irrigation systems. To ensure that the compound remained self contained, the team installed three onsite generators, domestic and waste water treatment plants, a cistern and fire pump and an underground fuel supply system.

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