TEMPUS - A TEMPORARY BUILDING FOR THE UNO

SHORT-TERM SOLUTION FROM SPECIALISTS

THE UNITED NATIONS OFFICE GENEVA

The «Palais des Nations», one of the main buildings at the UN’s European headquarters in Geneva, will undergo extensive renovation from 2020 - 2025. During these 5 years, part of the conferences has to take place in a temporary replacement building.

The United Nations Office Geneva (UNOG) launched a competition in which the technical requirements for the rooms and the building were specified.

The concept of NEPTUNUS, a Dutch hall construction specialist and EXPOMOBILIA, one of the leading company for temporary structures and installations from Switzerland,

was awarded the contract end of October 2019. Beginning of September 2020 the building could be handed over to the UNOG.

FROM DESIGN TO HANDOVER WITHIN 10 MONTHS

On behalf of EXPOMOBILIA, qiip took over the planning and the project management for the complete interior fit-out including all technical installations (IT, audio-video, ventilation, security systems). In addition, qiip was responsible for the approval process with UNOG as well as the authorities of Geneva.

Three conference rooms for 220 people each were constructed on an area of 2'200 m2 in only 10 months’ time. Despite the extremely short realization time and the temporary use for five years, the high-quality criteria of the UNO, which correspond to those of a permanent construction, were met.

INNOVATIVE AND SUSTAINABLE

In order to design and build a conference hall within 10 months the engineering team developed innovative solutions with regards to material and construction methods. For the interior acoustic for example, cladding material was used that is normally applied to basement ceilings or in parking halls only. The sloping conference floor was built from scaffolding material. Sandwich panels which are normally used for walls were laid on it.

All this material can be re-used after the dismantling of the building after five years’ time.

OUR INVOLVEMENT

Coordination of contractor activities and interactions between all involved parties during the construction phase
Construction management
Change order management
Definition of a reasonable programme with milestones in order to achieve the final completion date
Monitoring and reporting on timelines
Design reviews in terms of cost and efficient space allocation