WIPO Conference Hall

The WIPO Campus is located in the United Nations district at Place des Nations, an area characterized by a diverse array of architectural styles. The WIPO Conference Hall sits between the organization’s main building, Bâtiment AB, and the administration building by Behnisch Architekten, which accommodates around 500 workspaces in a flexible layout guided by sustainable design principles.

The new Conference Hall, a predominantly opaque structure, stands slightly elevated above Place des Nations, facing a row of villas. Despite its large volume and introverted character, the building retains a sense of lightness and accessibility. From its base the arms of the hall’s seating extend outward, creating openings that frame picturesque views, most notably that of Mont Blanc. Set within the WIPO Garden, the structure stands like a sculpture between the two adjacent buildings.

The lobby of the Conference Hall continues the garden landscape, creating a seamless transition that visually separates the hall from its base and gives the impression that it is levitating. This generous space also functions as the connection to the existing foyer of the AB building. Located on the second and third floors, the Conference Hall has been carefully designed to meet the specific requirements of WIPO: the 900 state-of-the-art conference seats—designed by Behnisch Architekten—are arranged without hierarchy and oriented toward the stage to ensure both comfort and user-friendliness. The auditorium is filled with uniform daylight, which enters through north-facing glazing above the stage. High-quality shading devices modulate the natural light to meet user-based needs. 

The Conference Hall sets itself apart from its surroundings through both its distinctive geometry and materiality. In contrast to the surrounding glass structures, the polygonal volume is constructed entirely from indigenous timber. Wood is also used extensively throughout the interior, where its haptic quality creates a gentle and pleasant ambiance. The choice of timber—and all material decisions in the project—reflects our commitment to create built environments that are ecologically, economically, and socially sustainable.