Steven Holl Architects to Design the New Geneva Operation Center of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
newsdepo.com
Steven Holl Architects is the winner of the international design competition for Médecins Sans Frontières’ new Geneva Operational Center.Steven Holl Architects’ design — titled "Colors of Humanity" — features colorful photovoltaic glass that provide
Steven Holl Architects to Design the New Geneva Operation Center of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
Steven Holl Architects is the winner of the international design competition for Médecins Sans Frontières’ new Geneva Operational Center.Steven Holl Architects’ design — titled "Colors of Humanity" — features colorful photovoltaic glass that provides shading as well as contributes to the building’s energy requirements. Its cubic geometry form allows easy expansion for future requirements.The interiors, with criss-crossing passages, casual seating alcoves, and small social gathering spaces, are designed to act as social condensers encouraging interaction and open dialogue. The facade features photovoltaic glass in bold colors, providing energy and shade to the building, while serving as fully functional windows. Combined with the photovoltaic panels on the roof, the building is geared to produce 72% of its electricity usage. The roof also features a garden.The Geneva Operational Center, when complete, will house the “International Office,” and provide workstations, classrooms, meeting rooms, and social spaces for nearly 250 MSF staff, who provide support to over 6,500 field staff working in 23 countries.On winning the design competition, Steven Holl said: “Doctors Without Borders, MSF, is an inspiring organization. It is an honor to realize architecture for their Geneva home.” “Steven Holl Architects’ project is the opportunity for MSF to integrate its core values like independence, impartiality, neutrality, altruism and dynamism in a challenging new architecture and project itself in the future,” noted Mathieu Soupart, Logistics Director for the MSF Operational Centre Geneva.Steven Holl Architects have won the competition in collaboration with Rüssli Architekten.For details, visit: http://www.stevenholl.com/Click on the slideshow for a sneak peek at the project. Read more
