Centre William Rappard
Encyclopedia
The Centre William Rappard at Rue de Lausanne 154, Geneva
, Switzerland
, was built between 1923 and 1926 to house the International Labour Office (ILO). It was the first building in Geneva designed to house an international organization. In 1975 the ILO moved to Grand Saconnex and in 1977 the Centre William Rappard was occupied by the secretariat of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
(GATT), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and the library of the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies
. By 1995, the World Trade Organization
(WTO) replaced the GATT and became the main occupant of the Centre William Rappard.
in 1923. Later that year, the Swiss architect George Épitaux (1873–1957) was commissioned to build the new ILO headquarters. The construction lasted three years, and the new building was inaugurated on 6 June 1926. Wings were added to the north-east (1937), south-west (1938), south (1951), and south-east (1957). In 1975 the ILO moved to neighbouring Grand Saconnex, and in 1977 the building was named Centre William Rappard after the Swiss diplomat William Rappard
(1883–1958), and was occupied by the secretariat of the GATT, the UNHCR, and the Graduate Institute's library.
In 1995, the Centre became the headquarters of the World Trade Organization (WTO). In 1998 a conference centre was built next to Rue de Lausanne. In 2007, following research conducted at the ILO archives and WTO locations, various hidden artworks were rediscovered and exposed to visitors. The Centre William Rappard is owned by the Swiss Confederation and the Canton of Geneva through their Building Foundation for International Organizations (FIPOI). In 2008 a major renovation and a new extension of the building was approved by the Swiss Confederation. Works started in 2009 to add an extension providing at least 300 new work places (gross area of 11,000 to 13,000 m2 and an underground car park with 200 places).
The Centre William Rappard also houses a collection of artworks, most of them donated by ILO member governments and institutions. Some of these artworks are Maurice Denis
’s “The Dignity of Labour” (1931), Seán Keating
’s mural on labour (1961), Jorge Colaço
’s "Grape-harvesting", "Ploughing the soil" and "Fishing" tiled panels (1928), Luc Jaggi’s “Peace” and “Justice” statues (1925), Albert Hahn Jr.’s Delft panel (1926), Gustave-Louis Jaulmes’s "Universal Joy", "Work in Abundance" and "The Benefits of Leisure" murals (1940), Dean Cornwell
’s murals on labour (1955), Eduardo Chicharro y Agüera’s “Pygmalion” (1925), and Gilbert Bayes
’s “Child with Fish” (or “Blue Robed Bambino”) fountain (1926).
Against the advice of the majority of Geneva political leaders, including the responsible for municipal and cantonal constructions Mark Muller
of the Liberal Party, and Sandrine Salerno
of the Socialist Party, the organisers of the referendum obtained 6,919 signatures supporting their project (versus a minimum of 4,000). However, after verification only 4,022 signatures were validated.
The referendum took place on 27 September 2009, with 61.8 per cent of voters supporting the expansion of the Centre William Rappard (turnout 39.5 per cent) "By accepting this project, Genevans showed their commitment to the international city and to multiculturalism" declared Sandrine Salerno.
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, was built between 1923 and 1926 to house the International Labour Office (ILO). It was the first building in Geneva designed to house an international organization. In 1975 the ILO moved to Grand Saconnex and in 1977 the Centre William Rappard was occupied by the secretariat of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade was negotiated during the UN Conference on Trade and Employment and was the outcome of the failure of negotiating governments to create the International Trade Organization . GATT was signed in 1947 and lasted until 1993, when it was replaced by the World...
(GATT), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and the library of the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies
Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies
The Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies is a highly selective postgraduate educational and research institute situated in Geneva, Switzerland...
. By 1995, the World Trade Organization
World Trade Organization
The World Trade Organization is an organization that intends to supervise and liberalize international trade. The organization officially commenced on January 1, 1995 under the Marrakech Agreement, replacing the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade , which commenced in 1948...
(WTO) replaced the GATT and became the main occupant of the Centre William Rappard.
History
The original site of the Centre William Rappard was part of an estate formed from the Rappard and Bloch properties, and contained two mansions. The original Villa Rappard was built in 1785 (now a daycare centre). The Villa Bloch was demolished in 1957 to make way for the south wing expansion of the Centre William Rappard. The Villa Rappard and land, situated to the north of the original site, were acquired by the ILO in 1963. The Swiss Confederation bought the estate in 1921 and donated it to the League of NationsLeague of Nations
The League of Nations was an intergovernmental organization founded as a result of the Paris Peace Conference that ended the First World War. It was the first permanent international organization whose principal mission was to maintain world peace...
in 1923. Later that year, the Swiss architect George Épitaux (1873–1957) was commissioned to build the new ILO headquarters. The construction lasted three years, and the new building was inaugurated on 6 June 1926. Wings were added to the north-east (1937), south-west (1938), south (1951), and south-east (1957). In 1975 the ILO moved to neighbouring Grand Saconnex, and in 1977 the building was named Centre William Rappard after the Swiss diplomat William Rappard
William Rappard
William Emmanuel Rappard was an influential academic and diplomat of the interwar-period, a passionate defender of the international scene....
(1883–1958), and was occupied by the secretariat of the GATT, the UNHCR, and the Graduate Institute's library.
In 1995, the Centre became the headquarters of the World Trade Organization (WTO). In 1998 a conference centre was built next to Rue de Lausanne. In 2007, following research conducted at the ILO archives and WTO locations, various hidden artworks were rediscovered and exposed to visitors. The Centre William Rappard is owned by the Swiss Confederation and the Canton of Geneva through their Building Foundation for International Organizations (FIPOI). In 2008 a major renovation and a new extension of the building was approved by the Swiss Confederation. Works started in 2009 to add an extension providing at least 300 new work places (gross area of 11,000 to 13,000 m2 and an underground car park with 200 places).
Description
The original building by George Épitaux was based on a classical Florentine villa, with an interior courtyard, grand entrance and a sweeping staircase leading up from the main entrance hall. The size of the first construction was 86.30 x 33.80 metres, with the top of the central cupola at 32 metres from the floor level. Entirely built in cement, some areas also include granite from Ticino and sandstone from Würenlos Argovie. Épitaux hired renowned sculptors and artisans, including Luc Jaggi (1887–1976), Maurice Sarki (Sarkissoff) (1882–1946), León Perrin (1886–1978), Jaroslav Horejc (1886–1983) and others. Immediately after the World War II George Épitaux was commissioned again to build two extensions to the north and south of the original building. Geometric shapes and symbolic decorations were used in the extensions to provide esthetic consistency.The Centre William Rappard also houses a collection of artworks, most of them donated by ILO member governments and institutions. Some of these artworks are Maurice Denis
Maurice Denis
Maurice Denis was a French painter and writer, and a member of the Symbolist and Les Nabis movements. His theories contributed to the foundations of cubism, fauvism, and abstract art.-Childhood and education:...
’s “The Dignity of Labour” (1931), Seán Keating
Seán Keating
Seán Keating was an Irish romantic-realist painter who painted some iconic images of the Irish War of Independence and of the early industrialization of Ireland...
’s mural on labour (1961), Jorge Colaço
Jorge Colaço
Jorge Colaço was a Portuguese painter specially known for his works as tile painter.Jorge Colaço was born in Tangier, Morocco, the son of a Portuguese diplomat...
’s "Grape-harvesting", "Ploughing the soil" and "Fishing" tiled panels (1928), Luc Jaggi’s “Peace” and “Justice” statues (1925), Albert Hahn Jr.’s Delft panel (1926), Gustave-Louis Jaulmes’s "Universal Joy", "Work in Abundance" and "The Benefits of Leisure" murals (1940), Dean Cornwell
Dean Cornwell
Dean Cornwell was an American illustrator and muralist. His oil paintings were frequently featured in popular magazines and books as literary illustrations, advertisements, and posters promoting the war effort. Throughout the first half of the 20th century he was a dominant presence in American...
’s murals on labour (1955), Eduardo Chicharro y Agüera’s “Pygmalion” (1925), and Gilbert Bayes
Gilbert Bayes
Gilbert William Bayes RA was a British sculptor and medalist.-Career:Born in London into a family of artists, Bayes' lengthy and illustrious career began as a student under Sir George Frampton and Harry Bates, and so became associated with the British New Sculpture movement and its focus on...
’s “Child with Fish” (or “Blue Robed Bambino”) fountain (1926).
Criticism
Following the approval by the Swiss federal authorities, on 6 April 2009 the city of Geneva approved the expansion of the Centre William Rappard. The work includes major changes in the internal courtyards, and a new wing on what is currently the south parking. Security installations are also planned, including a perimeter on the lake side park. Completion is planned for 2012, and it will add 350 work stations to the current 750. Budget is 130 million Swiss Francs (70 by the Swiss Confederation and 60 as a loan by FIPOI). The City Council approved the expansion with 50 votes in favour and 17 against it, the latter including "A gauche toute!" and UDC. Christian Zaugg and Pierre Vanek of "A gauche toute!" advanced that a referendum will be held to oppose the construction.Against the advice of the majority of Geneva political leaders, including the responsible for municipal and cantonal constructions Mark Muller
Mark Muller
Mark Muller is a Swiss real estate lawyer and politician in the canton of Geneva. A member of the Parti Libéral Genevois, he has been a member of the Grand Council since 2001. In November 2005, he was elected to the Council of State, and was re-elected in November 2009.-External links:*...
of the Liberal Party, and Sandrine Salerno
Sandrine Salerno
Sandrine Salerno is a Swiss politician and a member of the Socialist Party. She is the current Mayor of Geneva.-Background:...
of the Socialist Party, the organisers of the referendum obtained 6,919 signatures supporting their project (versus a minimum of 4,000). However, after verification only 4,022 signatures were validated.
The referendum took place on 27 September 2009, with 61.8 per cent of voters supporting the expansion of the Centre William Rappard (turnout 39.5 per cent) "By accepting this project, Genevans showed their commitment to the international city and to multiculturalism" declared Sandrine Salerno.
See also
- World Trade OrganizationWorld Trade OrganizationThe World Trade Organization is an organization that intends to supervise and liberalize international trade. The organization officially commenced on January 1, 1995 under the Marrakech Agreement, replacing the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade , which commenced in 1948...
- General Agreement on Tariffs and TradeGeneral Agreement on Tariffs and TradeThe General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade was negotiated during the UN Conference on Trade and Employment and was the outcome of the failure of negotiating governments to create the International Trade Organization . GATT was signed in 1947 and lasted until 1993, when it was replaced by the World...
- International Labour OrganizationInternational Labour OrganizationThe International Labour Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that deals with labour issues pertaining to international labour standards. Its headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland. Its secretariat — the people who are employed by it throughout the world — is known as the...
- United Nations Office at GenevaUnited Nations Office at GenevaThe United Nations Office at Geneva is the second-largest of the four major office sites of the United Nations...
Further reading
- BIT, Programme du Concours pour l'Étude d'un Projet en vue de la Construction d'un Édifice destiné au Bureau International du Travail à Genève (undated). ILO Archives.
- Budry, Paul (ed.). L'édifice du Bureau International du Travail à Genève (31 August 1926). Includes a technical note by Architect Georges Épitaux, photographs and the list of contractors and artists. ILO Archives.
- Delpal, Bernard. "Sur le tableau de Maurice Denis: La Dignité du Travail (Genève, 1931)" in: Chrétiens et Sociétés, XVIe – XXe siècles (Lyon), N° 9 (2002), pp. 139–177. Available online (http://resea-ihc.univ-lyon3.fr/publicat/bulletin/2002/delpal.pdf).
- Der Boghossian, Anoush. "L'Organisation Mondiale du Commerce: vers un modèle écologique" in UN Special N° 685 (June 2009), p. 22. Available online (http://www.unspecial.org/UNS685/t34.html).
- Graf, Robert Henri. Le Bureau International du Travail: les oeuvres d'art et les dons reçus par cette institution (Geneva: unpublished, 1951). Manuscript reprint by WTO, 2008.
- Murray, Edmundo. "Ghosts in the Centre William Rappard" in UN Special N° 686 (July 2009), pp. 17–18. Available online (http://www.unspecial.org/UNS686/t61.html).
- World Trade Organization. The WTO Building: The Symbolic Artwork of the Centre William Rappard, headquarters of the World Trade Organization (Geneva: WTO Publications, 2008)
- Tribune de GenèveTribune de GenèveTribune de Genève is the most prominent regional newspaper of the Canton of Geneva, Switzerland.Tribune de Genève was founded on 1 February 1879 by James T. Bates. The French language daily is published by Edipresse in Geneva...
- Le TempsLe TempsFounded in 1998, Le Temps is a Swiss newspaper edited in French. Le Temps consists of a daily newspaper , several supplements , thematic special editions, a performing website and digital applications.Le Temps is the...