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locations, various hidden artworks were rediscovered and exposed to visitors. After the creation of the WTO, the organization lacked space for staff and delegates for their daily meetings. After considering several options, the Swiss authorities and the WTO have reached an agreement in early August 2008 to renovate, extend and improve the Centre
William Rappard. This was the best solution in terms of cost and efficiency. In 2008 the renovation and extension of the building was approved by the Swiss Confederation. Works started in 2009, and added an extension providing 300 new work posts (out of total 1,200 potential places in the whole building) and an underground car park with 200 places). Furthermore, the original building was fully renovated to add more working space for staff members, delegates and visitors. Works were performed in three phases: 2008–2011, renovation of the General Council Room, modernization of infrastructure (electricity, plumbing, heating), and creation of new rooms. 2010–2012, densifying and increasing the indoor capacity, including the Atrium in the former north courtyard and large meeting rooms in the south courtyard. 2011-2013: construction of the new building between the former south parking and the park.
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international organizations and foreign officers, security installations were built, including a perimeter around the building. Budget was 150 million Swiss Francs, including 70 million by the Swiss
Confederation and 60 million 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 parties. Christian Zaugg and Pierre Vanek of "A gauche toute!" advanced that a referendum would be held to oppose the construction. Against the advice of the majority of Geneva political leaders, including the responsible for municipal and cantonal constructions
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element of the border lake landscape. Its glass structure reflects the natural surroundings in a way that the building integrates to the landscape. One of the objectives of the WTO has been to construct a building requiring very low energy consumption. Energy savings are fully effective owing to the installation of solar panels that reap enough energy to heat the water used by the WTO. A protective film installed on the windows also helps to create better insulation, repeals ultraviolet radiations and reduces energy costs.
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and supporting the work of the male ambassadors and officers. In the foreground, the chief interpreter holds a folder and casts a surreptitious glance at the buttocks of one of the female assistants. The humorous intention is condensed in the legend inscribed on the bottom of the illustration, “In GATT We Trust”, which is a witty paraphrase of “
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south-east (1957). In 1975 the ILO moved to neighbouring Grand
Saconnex and the property was owned by the Building Foundation for International Organizations (FIPOI), of the Swiss Confederation and the Canton of Geneva. In 1977, the building was renovated and named Centre William Rappard after the Swiss diplomat
546:. Furthermore, the artist reproduced the motto in a way that the capital “T” of Trust is placed at a lower level than the text, leaving the title to be read as “In GATT We Rust”. This painting "was on display for 30 years in what is now Room Y, in the small cafeteria. It was removed in 2007 to uncover
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The renovation and construction performed in 2008-2013 included two major projects, changes in the original structure and a new building. Among the changes and improvements included in the renovation are the transformation of the former north courtyard of the original building in an Atrium. This was
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The site of the Centre
William Rappard was part of two estates formed from the Rappard and Bloch properties, and contained two mansions. The Villa Rappard was originally built in 1785 and renovated in 1894. The Villa Bloch was demolished in 1957 to make way for the south wing expansion of the Centre
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is seen at the head of a u-shaped table addressing the audience. Around the table are GATT Secretariat officers and delegates from member countries (the "contracting parties"), all of them sitting at the table, as well as interpreters, assistants, secretaries and ushers. The four women are standing
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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 included major changes in the internal courtyards, and a new wing on what was the south parking. Following Swiss standards for the protection of
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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
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standard and has chosen non-polluting and recyclable materials for the new building as well as the renovation of CWR. Materials have been selected on the basis of a life cycle assessment, considering all the energy required for their production, manufacture, use and recycling. The extension is one
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has become the natural air conditioning of the building ("Genève-Lac-Nations" network). Heating and cooling systems are supplied by the deep waters of the lake, which are transported and distributed according to a hydrothermal network. Heat pumps are also used. This system has been developed by
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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
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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
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In 1995, the Centre became the headquarters of the World Trade
Organization (WTO), that is the current tenant of the building. In 1998 a conference centre was built next to Rue de Lausanne, by the Swiss architect Ugo Brunoni. In 2007, following research conducted at the ILO archives and WTO
281:". All other energy sources available on the site (sun, wind, vegetation, soil characteristics) are used as well. The exceptional brightness of the lake borders is also an asset and the building has been designed so that the daylight illuminates the offices as long as possible.
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movement, negative perceptions arose among staff members. The painting was removed from Room B and later placed in the access of the main entrance hall to the lakeside terrace. After several internal discussions that were dominated by the gender debate, the
Director-General
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murals on labour (the three works removed by the GATT Secretariat in 1975). Many of them were recovered, restored and placed in their original locations during the renovation of the building in 2008-2013. In 2019, the caricature painting
172:(WTO) replaced the GATT and became the main occupant of the Centre William Rappard. In 2008–2013, the building was completely renovated and an extension was constructed to make available more office space and meeting rooms.
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was later followed by Keith
Rockwell of the WTO information and media relations division when he asked to delete what he considered sensitive information from the manuscript of a book chapter dedicated to the removal of
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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. Director-General
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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.
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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 acquired the Bloch property in 1921 and donated it to the
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was removed from the entrance hall and sent to an underground deposit. The painting (1.10 m high, 1.85 m wide, acrylic on canvas) dates from 1966. It is a humorous depiction of a meeting at the
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554:, and was then placed at the service entrance and, after the renovation, in the Delegates Room. In 2013, it was finally hung in Room B" By June 2019, within the context of the
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developed by Group8 Architects of Geneva, who focused on modernization, space optimization, respect for the past, and transformation with respect for the environment.
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879:(31 de agosto de 1926). Including a technical note by the architect Georges Épitaux, photographies and a list of contractors and artists. ILO Historical Archives.
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The Centre William Rappard houses a collection of artworks, most of them donated during ILO times by governments and institutions. Some of these artworks are
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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
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In October 2019, after a heated debate and strong resistance by many WTO staff members and delegates, the caricature painting
190:(1883–1958). That year, it was occupied by the secretariat of the GATT, the UNHCR, and the Graduate Institute's library.
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was covered in 1936 and remained hidden during 70 years. Other artworks have been removed, covered or destroyed, such as
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152:(ILO). It was the first building in Geneva designed to house an international organization. In 1975 the ILO moved to
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The WTO Building: The Symbolic Artwork of the Centre William Rappard, headquarters of the World Trade Organization
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World Trade Organization. "Virtual tour of the Centre William Rappard" (Geneva: WTO Publications, 2018).
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said that the results of the referendum "will encourage us to extend our outreach to you even further”.
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decided that the painting should be removed, which was done on 2 October 2019. This occurrence of
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Le Bureau International du Travail: les oeuvres d'art et les dons reçus par cette institution
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Le Bureau International du Travail: les oeuvres d'art et les dons reçus par cette institution
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348:
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Der Boghossian, Anoush. "L'Organisation Mondiale du Commerce: vers un modèle écologique" in
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Delpal, Bernard. "Sur le tableau de Maurice Denis: La Dignité du Travail (Geneva, 1931)" in
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There have been various occurrences of art suppression in the Centre William Rappard. The
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Art Discovery and Censorship in the Centre William Rappard of Geneva: Building the Future
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Art Discovery and Censorship in the Centre William Rappard of Geneva: Building the Future
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Art Discovery and Censorship in the Centre William Rappard of Geneva: Building the Future
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https://web.archive.org/web/20110721042646/http://www.unspecial.org/UNS686/t61.html
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https://web.archive.org/web/20110721042635/http://www.unspecial.org/UNS685/t34.html
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The new building in the south of the Centre William Rappard, by Jen Wittfoht of
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and in 1977 the Centre William Rappard was occupied by the secretariat of the
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World Trade Organization. Virtual tour of the Centre William Rappard (
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Centre William Rappard: Home of the World Trade Organization, Geneva
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The WTO Building: Art and architecture at the Centre William Rappard
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to celebrate the tenth anniversary of China's accession to the WTO.
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387:) fountain (1926). Among the recent donations and acquisitions are
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http://resea-ihc.univ-lyon3.fr/publicat/bulletin/2002/delpal.pdf
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Building Foundation for International Organizations. Website (
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Centre William Rappard: Home of the World Trade Organization
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Murray, Edmundo. "Ghosts in the Centre William Rappard" in
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Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies
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N° 686 (July 2009), pp. 17–18. Available online (
908:(Geneva: unpublished, 1951). Reprint by the WTO, 2008.
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L'édifice du Bureau International du Travail à Genève
886:(Lyon), N° 9 (2002), pp. 139–177. Available online (
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855:(London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2023), p. 147, note 1.
897:N° 685 (June 2009), p. 22. Available online (
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820:La Tribune de Genève (online), 27 September 2009
247:(1886–1978), and others. Immediately after the
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223:cement, some areas also include granite from
842:(London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2023), p. 160.
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977:Buildings and structures completed in 1926
884:Chrétiens et Sociétés, XVIe – XXe siècles
601:Villa Bloch park and Lake LĂ©man, ca. 1923
16:Headquarter of WTO in Geneva, Switzerland
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767:(Geneva: WTO Publications, 2011), p. 31
218:The original building by Lausanne-born
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722:General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
158:General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
529:period (1964-1967). Director-General
393:Danaé World Suite / 11 September 2001
589:Villa Bloch (formerly Rochefoucault)
472:Geneva Referendum for a New Building
463:was removed from public exhibition.
915:(London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2023).
872:(undated). ILO Historical Archives.
829:WTO press release 28 September 2009
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967:Buildings and structures in Geneva
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802:La Tribune de Genève, 7 April 2009
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940:(Geneva: WTO Publications, 2011).
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361:The Benefits of Leisure
122:Design and construction
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301:The Dignity of Labour
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197:Salle des Pas-Perdus
106:Construction started
90:46.22417°N 6.14944°E
875:Budry, Paul (ed.).
778:http://www.fipoi.ch
649:Entrance hall floor
440:Building the Future
227:and sandstone from
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45:Architectural style
40:General information
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321:Ploughing the soil
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206:Description
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61:Switzerland
961:Categories
920:UN Special
895:UN Special
738:References
422:(1930) by
269:Minergie P
81:06°08′58″E
78:46°13′27″N
48:Classicism
552:Pygmalion
544:Nicaragua
467:Criticism
432:Pygmalion
373:Pygmalion
329:Luc Jaggi
261:Stuttgart
237:Luc Jaggi
114:Completed
711:See also
311:(1961),
303:(1931),
229:WĂĽrenlos
53:Location
337:Justice
325:Fishing
265:Germany
176:History
523:Geneva
413:Suzhou
395:, and
233:Aargau
225:Ticino
142:Geneva
57:Geneva
868:BIT,
699:Tiber
556:MeToo
345:Delft
333:Peace
519:GATT
383:(or
359:and
335:and
323:and
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109:1923
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