UAE-funded renovated UN conference hall in Geneva wins international awards

GENEVA, 8th March, 2018 (WAM) -- Fully financed by the UAE, "La Salle des Emirats", the fully renovated Conference Room XVII of the Palais des Nations, the European headquarters of the United Nations, has been recognised as the Finest Architecture Project by the UK-based International Property Awards for 2017/2018. The International Property Awards are open to residential and commercial property professionals from around the globe and celebrates the highest levels of achievement by companies operating in all sectors of the property and real estate industry. Obaid Salem Saeed Al Zaabi, Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations Office at Geneva, received the prestigious accolade, which is a world-renowned mark of excellence. Expressing his pride for the much coveted awards in the international architecture industry, Obaid Al Zaabi, said, ''The renovation of the Hall has provided a fitting opportunity to present the UAE's prudent policy and its working mechanism to implement its projects, making it one of the region's most open and competitive countries today.'' ''The UAE-funded renovation of one of the UN 's largest meeting halls has shown the commitment, accuracy and fast achievement demonstrated by the UAE professionals and their respect for stakeholders - qualities that the UAE's leadership strived to promote through excellence, innovation and creativity,'' he added. Michael Moller, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, in his welcoming remarks, said that "La Salle des Emirats" combines functionality, cutting-edge technology and a design that merges innovation and cultural heritage, very much in line with the spectacular architectural trends that have emerged in the United Arab Emirates over the past years. "Room XVII does not only shine in a new design, but also has technical features that will ultimately help delegates focus on finding solutions – under the blue Emirates sky – to the world’s problems that are being addressed here in Geneva," said Mr. Moller at the opening of the Hall in June 2016. The spectacular ceiling of the renovated "Salle des Emirats", which weighs 20 tons, now contains a round metallic structure showing the name of the United Arab Emirates written in stylized Arabic calligraphy. As impressively, the ceiling of "La Salle des Emirats" changes colours and the level of light according to the time of the day. The genesis of the project stems from the emblem of the United Arab Emirates, a golden falcon upholding the Emirates’ flag surrounded by seven stars representing the seven Emirates of the Federation." At the foot of the falcon, the name of the United Arab Emirates is inscribed in Kufic script.In the project, the name of the United Arab Emirates transforms itself into a rounded metallic architectural structure while still preserving the traditional and cultural values of Arabic calligraphy. The structure is also linked to a live sky in LED screens which symbolises the vision of the UAE. The endless, limitless, interminable sky represents the futuristic and innovative vision of the country." The walls of the room are made of wood panels, which by their curved shapes are a subtle representation of the wind in the dunes. The carpeting reproduces the orange hues that characterise the unique colours of the sand of the desert of Abu Dhabi.