World Health Organization Headquarter expansion -Geneva-Switzerland

Project Details

Project Description

The main goal for the competition for the 270,000 SF World Health Organization expansion is to create a cohesive addition to the OMS concourse. The program includes an office tower to house 700 work stations, a restaurant, crisis room, conference center and an underground parking garage. The design envisions the new OMS expansion to exemplify design for health and well-being to the world by elevating the health and wellness of the organization through the built-environment for its inhabitants.

The design focuses on three core ingredients: fresh air, clean water and access to daylight. These basic elements drive the concept programmatically and in the physical form. The administrative tower with its polygonal and transparent facades will maximize views and daylight. The tower is formed by two identical wings which nearly touch, yet slide by and open up to create a transparent gap in-between. As staff circulate throughout the building they are constantly interacting with and connected to the landscape. The main hub will include the restaurant, conference/meeting rooms, and SHOC room. The main hub is directly connected to the administrative tower using the CENTRAL vertical core. The concept keeps walking distances to a minimum.

The connection to the existing headquarters that leads to the new HUB will be on the main lobby level. Additional connection points for service delivery and employees on the lower floors are also provided to ensure that the entire campus and the new addition is well connected and united.

The central green space design respects and builds upon the heritage of the existing campus structures and landscape, completing the campus by creating a central plaza that will be the living heart of the campus. The solution focuses on maximizing green space by reducing the footprint of the new addition and adding elements like a walking trail and reflective pool, which complements the existing reflective pool on the west.

The design of the OMS expansion, with its transparency, many edges and extending wings, symbolizes the concept of reaching for all parts of the world who are seeking health and wellness.