UIT Headquarters Genève, GE
The low-rise, green building stands as a symbol for the human scale of communication that lies at the heart of the International Telecommunication Union: a robust and flexible landscape of collaboration, allowing for the institution to constantly evolve. As the new headquarter of the ITU, it marks the far end of the urban axis to Palais des Nations. The Gardens frames the Park and forms an urban ensemble with the Montbrillant Building and the tower. A new pedestrian connection to Rue de Varembé connects the neighbourhood with Place des Nations.
The Gardens provide a contemporary, transparent, and healthy working environment with constant visual and physical contact to nature. Light and air flow through atriums and courtyards, balconies and terraces open onto the Park. The Gardens is a collaborative work environment that opens up and interweaves formerly separated functional areas such as the cafeteria, the library, or or the gym into a horizontal landscape on only two floors. Meetings and desk-time, coffee and food, work-out and recuperation all become part of the daily working experience. The Gardens fosters incidental meetings and spontaneous interaction.
The serene wooden load-bearing system structures the building. Natural building materials complement a healthy, all-senses work environment made from locally harvested sources. A truss frame over two floors is all it needs for a 25-meter free span on the conference level. The main structure is green and flexible and offers great ease of movement both horizontally and vertically.