Note to Correspondents

INNOVATION IN UNITED NATIONS GUIDED TOURS PROGRAMME:  ARCHITECTURE

 

OF HEADQUARTERS BUILDING TO BE SHOWN TO VISITORS FOR TWO DAYS

For the first time, architectural tours of the United Nations will be offered during “Openhousenewyork” on 7 and 8 October 2006, a citywide event.

The Guided Tours Unit in the Department of Public Information will organize 45-minute visits in which architecture lovers will see the Visitors’ Lobby, an exhilarating space with a real 1950s “boomerang” design and a very unusual facade.  The Delegates’ entrance, which is not often seen by the public, will also be on the tour route.  The space, which has an unusual configuration, gives insight into how the many officials, employees and visitors at the United Nations are able to use the facility for various purposes, a reflection of the success of the original design concept.

The Security Council and General Assembly conference halls will also be on the programme.  They are historic spaces, but are also interesting in that they are mid-century interpretations of the ancient concept of a legislative-style space.

The Headquarters building, which stands on the east side of Manhattan on the bank of the East River, was designed by a team of architects as the United Nations decided that the new home of the Organization in New York should be the result of collaboration among eminent architects rather than the result of an international competition.  Wallace K. Harrison of the United States was appointed chief architect and he had a 10-member team of architects nominated by Governments to help him in his task:  Nikolai D. Bassov, Gaston Brunfaut, Ernest Cormier, Charles E. Le Corbusier, Liang Seu-Cheng, Sven Markelius, Oscar Niemayer, Howard Robertson, G. A. Soilleux and Julio Vilamajo.  They began their work early in 1947 and the plans were approved by the General Assembly on 20 November 1947.

The free special architectural tours will be offered at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and at 12:30 p.m. on 7 and 8 October by reservation only (212 963 5420).  They will be conducted by an architect from the team responsible for the design of the proposed renovation of the United Nations Headquarters.  A guide will also accompany each group during their visit of the Headquarters complex.  No children under the age of five will be permitted on the tour.

Openhousenewyork was inspired by the success of similar events that have taken place over the past decade in London, Toronto and other cities around the world.  Through the annual Openhousenewyork weekend and other public programmes throughout the year, a diverse audience may be educated about New York’s rich architectural, urban and historical development by providing access to innovative, inspiring and engaging sites of architectural, engineering and design significance.

For more information, please contact Isabelle Broyer, 212 963 9480 or broyer@un.org.

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For information media • not an official record