The US State Department Bureau of Overseas Building Operations plans to release new guidelines for design excellence to inform the architecture of embassies around the world.
The new guidelines will emphasize internal efficiency and environmental sustainability. Lydia Muniz, OBO deputy director Muniz told an April 26 meeting that the bureau will be issuing a guide to Design Excellence, described as a how-to handbook, in July.
Reporter Tom Ichniowski reports also that the OBO is also reforming its decisionmaking process on awarding contracts to be about the "best value" rather than a "low-bid" approach.
FULL STORY: State Department Ramping Up Design Excellence Program for U.S. Embassies

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