UNESCO Headquarters: history of the building

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Where is the headquarters of UNESCO?Probably, many people sometimes asked this question, because the organization itself is sufficiently well known throughout the world.Today, the headquarters of UNESCO in Paris.The building is known throughout the world.And not just because the owner is one of the most powerful and popular organizations on the planet, but also due to the fact, that in itself is an architectural masterpiece.

How it all began

When World War II ended in Europe, and sighed with relief, it was decided to establish the United Nations, and at her - UNESCO - the body responsible for the development of culture, arts and education throughout the world.Almost immediately, the creators of UNESCO agreed that the headquarters of the organization will be in Paris.Only here the city was destroyed by the war, at the time was not quite ready for it.

Arrived September 16, 1946 in London to establish the UNESCO Commission was forced to live in a Paris hotel "Majestic".The secretaries worked in the bedrooms, and staff mediocre generally placed in the bathrooms.All documents are stored in the organization of newborn wardrobe.It was not until 1958, when UNESCO Headquarters, finally received a proper disposal of the building on the left bank of the Seine.

fruit of collective creativity

in a luxurious room, decorating the Place de Fontenoy, from the very beginning put a lot of creative effort.We were invited famous designers, engineers and architects from around the world.The project made by the American M. Breiner, the Italian Nervi and the Frenchman P. B. Zerfyus and supervised the construction of S. Corbusier (France), W. Gropius (USA), L. Costa (Brazil), S. Markelius (Sweden) and E. Rogers (Italy), were part of a special committee.

Interior

Once the major work came to an end, the creators have started decorating.Taking into account the specifics of UNESCO, they decided to focus on culture.From different corners of the planet to the headquarters of the organization came paintings of famous artists of the time.Some paintings were ordered in advance and were bought, and some were accepted as a gift from the member countries.Legendary personality (Picasso, Tamayo, Arp and others) made out of the building wall paintings, frescoes and sculptures.Works of artists decorated the room space, which gradually turned into a gallery, symbolizing the world, dominated by art, creativity and inspiration.

UNESCO Headquarters in Paris today

Today, looking at the beautiful building, you see a successful combination of rationalism of modern architecture and art of painting of the last century.UNESCO Headquarters - the seven-story structure, in the form it resembles the letter Y. It is built on concrete columns 72, which are placed between the lobby and the service department headquarters.

UNESCO Headquarters consists of three buildings located in relation to each other at an angle of 120 degrees.The glass facade with windows 1068 placed a huge library, and collections of stamps, coins and souvenirs.It blends well into the creation of architects "Accordion".This building is in the shape of a cube, which is the oval room for 900 seats.It is here that held plenary sessions of UNESCO.

third part of the composition is hidden under the ground at a depth of two levels.In it, we find 6 cozy courtyards and a garden in the Japanese style on which the windows Corps of permanent missions.The doors of the rooms are always wide open to welcome guests.And they do not miss an opportunity to visit the headquarters of the humanitarian organization in the world, brought together a myriad of gifts of art.