On July 1, 1950 the United Nations laid the foundation for its current HQ on New York’s East River. The land was donated and the building was designed by Brazil’s Oscar #Niemayer and Swiss-French architect #LeCorbusier. More recently, the UN’s HQ went through an extensive renovation, from removal of asbestos to capacity for enhanced communication – at any single hour the UN has dozens of deployments around the globe, from peacekeeping to humanitarian to diplomatic initiatives.
The 38th floor of the UN Secretariat Building refers to the UN Secretary General’s office, and where he, (no women as yet have served), greets visitors and meets with the UN’s diplomatic corps. The UN HQ building facade has reflected the hope of the rising sun and much of humanity’s hopes, although the work of the UN is spread throughout NYC, and its neighborhoods, and indeed worldwide. However, under the UN there was a whole other less glamorous world several floors deep. When I worked there, there was an almost “Phantom of the Opera” feel, from dim conference rooms (pre-renovation) to the garbage disposal units.
