Los Angeles based Michael Maltzan Architecture (MMA)has been selected by the Department of State’s Bureau of Overseas Building Operations (OBO) to design a new residential annex to the US Embassy in Paris. MMA bested US practices Allied Works and Mack Scogin Merrill Elam Architects.

Located near the U.S. Embassy and on the Avenue Gabriel near the intersection of the Champs-Elysees and the Place de las Concorde, the annex will provide ten to twelve residential living units for the embassy staff and will include an underground parking garage.

Commenting on the firm’s selection the State Depatment said in a press release: “Michael Maltzan Archtiecture was selected from a very talented shortlist of three architecture/engineering teams that advanced to the final round of presentations and interviews.

“MMA brought together a strong architectural and landscape team, supplemented with an impressive portfolio of engineers. The design philosophy presented carefully considers the local culture and historical context and responds accordingly to the sensitivity of the building within a landscape.”

The project is the second solicited design under OBO’s Design Excellence Program.