It captivated the imagination of the jury through its simple and innovative design and the materials used. 'Drift' is made up of large exhibition panels connected by transparent plastic elements. Base elements and a glass cover complete the system, creating a large space.

Given the increasing exhibition activity at the Palais des Nations in recent years and after a thorough study of the space available, Switzerland has decided to present the UN Office in Geneva with a modular exhibition system created by a team of Swiss designers. This selected project will enable the UN Office in Geneva to present a wide variety of art exhibitions effectively and in an appropriate style.

Switzerland will also finance the restoration of the frescoes by Swiss artist Karl Hügin in the Salon des Délégués. These frescoes were a gift from Switzerland to the League of Nations in 1937.

The total cost of the accession gift to the UN Office in Geneva will be approx. 480,000 francs.

The Federal Council plans formally to present this gift in the middle of March 2004 at the opening of a one-off art exhibition on human rights to be held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva as part of the celebrations to mark the opening of the 60th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights.

There is a tradition that new member countries present the UN with a gift on their accession. The exhibition system and the renovation of the frescoes form the "Geneva part" of Switzerland's accession gift to the UN. The winners of the New York competition were announced in March. A team consisting of mlzd Architects from Biel, Bucher Bründler Architects from Basle and Relax, Chiarenza & Hauser & Croptier from Biel, who are responsible for the artistic work, will re-design a central complex in the main UN building in New York.

Information: Daniel Lüthi, Federal Office for Buildings und Logistics, Tel. 031/ 325.50.03

Federal Department of Finance

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

05 Sep 2003