An important factor of the buildings in the new US Embassy compound in Beirut is that they require 3D wall formwork. The design is very challenging due to the elements that are curved and inclined.

About one third of the elevation areas have complex shapes and need to be formed in line with a very specific dynamic system that perfectly follows the elevation waves.

These complex architectural features require a lot of engineering design and are very complex to execute. The formwork designs are made in Peri, Germany, and require months for completion. In an attempt to overcome the time factor, four engineering teams were dedicated to this special mission.

This is the first time in Lebanon such a task was undertaken, considering the size and complexity of the 3D work. The challenge was to develop complex formwork systems without error as high quality was a priority. In addition, a spruce wood pattern was required for architectural purposes and it constituted another parameter to be considered.

Living boards were needed which required precise work and CNC machines to create the complicated special forms of the wall.