Palace of Nations
The Palais des Nations () in Geneva, Switzerland, was built between 1929 and 1938 as the headquarters of the League of Nations. Since the 1950s, it has served as the home of the United Nations Office at Geneva, although Switzerland did not become a member of the UN until 2002.
History
An architectural competition held in the 1920s to choose a design for the complex described the project as follows:
The Palais, whose construction is the object of the competition, is intended to house all the organs of the League of Nations in Geneva. It should be designed in such a way as to allow these organs to work, to preside and to hold discussions, independently and easily in the calm atmosphere which should prevail when dealing with problems of an international dimension.
A jury of architects was selected to choose a final design from among 377 entries but was unable to decide on a winner. Ultimately, the five architects behind the leading entries were chosen to collaborate on a final design: Carlo Broggi of Italy, Julien Flegenheimer of Switzerland, Camille Lefèvre and Henri-Paul Nénot of France, and Joseph Vago of Hungary. Donations from League members were used in the interior.
After its transfer to the United Nations, two extensions were added to the building. In the early 1950s, three floors were added to the "K" building, and the "D" building was constructed to temporarily house the World Health Organization. The "E" building (or "New" Building) was completed in 1973 as a conference facility. With the additions, the complex is 600 metres long, with 34 conference rooms and 2,800 offices.
Due to its age, $1 billion is required to modernize the building. Many balk at modernizing it, as for the same amount of money a building 150% the size of the Empire State Building could be built in Geneva instead.[Abrams, Joseph. Cost of Rebuilding U.N.'s Palace? A Billion Dollars. FOXNews.com, Accessed November 24, 2008]
Description
The Palais is in Ariana Park, which was bequeathed to the City of Geneva by the Revilliod de Rive family, with the condition that peacocks should roam freely on its grounds, which they do to this day. The park also contains a 1668 chalet.
Beneath the Palais des Nations's foundation stone is a capsule containing a document listing the names of the League of Nations member states, a copy of the Covenant of the League, and specimen coins of all the countries represented at the league's Tenth Assembly.
The building overlooks Lake Geneva and has a clear view of the French Alps.
See also
 United Nations Office at Geneva
League of Nations
United Nations
References
United Nations Office at Geneva housed at the Palais des Nations.
Palais des Nations official web pages describing its history, design and features.
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