WHO Community

“The World Health Organization (WHO) is the directing and coordinating authority for health in the United Nations. Their work is to organize the major efforts in eradicating diseases and improve the quality of human life worldwide.”

There is great value in architecture that promotes synergy. It is through interdisciplinary collaboration that global health issues will be solved.

Building upon the architectural vision of Jean Tschumi, this extension creates spaces that encourage a collaborative work environment, where new ideas can evolve, and solutions are forged.

Architecturally, there are two primary components: building volumes that protrude up from the landscape, and a low-lying, horizontal plinth that extends through the site. The plinth creates a seamless connection to the existing building, while providing communal work space for members of every discipline.

Program: Extension, office, conference and lab facilities
Size: +25.000 m2
Location: Geneve, Switzerland
Client: World Health Organization
Year: 2014
Type: Competition proposal, finalist
Collaborators: Søren Jensen Rådgivende Ingeniører, Lüchinger Meyer, Henrik Innovation, Amstein Walthert, Caretta Weidmann
Team JAJA: Kathrin Gimmel, Jakob Christensen, Jan Tanaka, Sam De Boever, Stephen Dietz-Hodgson, Yujiao Wang, Marion Osen, Jacob Ørnstedt

WHO TODAY

The WHO building is considered a centerpiece in Swiss modern architecture. Designed by Jean Tschumi, it has an impressive presence. The main building stands tall and monumental while the low-lying plinth reaches out into the landscape.

WHO TODAY

The WHO building is considered a centerpiece in Swiss modern architecture. Designed by Jean Tschumi, it has an impressive presence. The main building stands tall and monumental while the low-lying plinth reaches out into the landscape.

ARCHITECTURAL CONCEPT

Like the existing building, the new extension consists of two main architectural elements: plinth and object. These elements are used to extend into the park landscape while still respecting the core ideas of Tschumi’s building.

ARCHITECTURAL CONCEPT

Like the existing building, the new extension consists of two main architectural elements: plinth and object. These elements are used to extend into the park landscape while still respecting the core ideas of Tschumi’s building.

LANDSCAPE

The new plinth is a lightweight structure that floats above the landscape. The light frame allows the landscape to flow underneath creating a porous patchwork of workstations, meeting places and recreational spaces.

LANDSCAPE

The new plinth is a lightweight structure that floats above the landscape. The light frame allows the landscape to flow underneath creating a porous patchwork of workstations, meeting places and recreational spaces.

THE PLINTH

A central axis extends from the existing entrance to the new plinth. It creates a central spine and an intuitive connection between new and old. Along the main axis courtyards and meeting spaces are dispersed, rendering the spine as the main boulevard of the entire WHO complex.

THE PLINTH

A central axis extends from the existing entrance to the new plinth. It creates a central spine and an intuitive connection between new and old. Along the main axis courtyards and meeting spaces are dispersed, rendering the spine as the main boulevard of the entire WHO complex.