The original United Nations Security Council Chamber finally opened its doors on April 16, 2013, to delegates after three long and strenuous years of remodeling and renovation. The council room now is all spruced up and exudes an expected air of importance.
The Council Chamber was closed down in 2010 as it started showing signs of ageing. The chamber, informally known as the Norway Room because it was gifted by the Norwegians back in 1952, has undergone some major refurbishments. Apparently, the renovation was carried out with a part of the $8.2 million that Norway had once again contributed for the improvement of the whole UN Headquarters, reports Norway Post.
"Norway does not have a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council Chamber, 'the council's chairs and other interiors' are all Norwegian. One of Lie's many strategies as secretary-general, from 1946 to 1953, was to ensure that Norway played a deciding role in the chamber's design, knowing how important the room would become over the decades," Espen Barth Eide, Foreign Minister of Norway said to PassBlue.
The room now sports a fused modern and classic architectural look and has been lauded by experts. While the chamber was being renovated, the council moved its meetings to another temporary chamber in the UN Headquarters where the famous horseshoe table and the many chairs were also shifted.
Though the chamber was torn down completely for the renovation, its basic look has been retained. Asbestos has been removed and brand new state-of-the-art ventilation and communication facilities have been installed. Ashtrays have been replaced by outlets, the blue damask wallpaper that featured yellow hearts, anchors and wheat (a sign of hope, charity and faith) has been restored. It was designed by Else Poulsson, a Norwegian artist. Another large mural painting that depicts a Phoenix rising from the ashes has also been reinstated. The large horseshoe-shaped table has been brought back to the center of the room too, reports Yahoo Homes.
Check out the photos of the new UN Security Council Chamber, here.
Architectural History of the Chamber:
The Council Chamber, which is perhaps the world's most important room, was inaugurated on August 22, 1952. However, the first UN meeting was held a few months earlier in April, before the official opening.
The construction of the chamber had faced monetary issues even then. Arneberg's initial designs demanded a lot of capital, which were not available. Therefore, he had to cut down decoration plans of steel railings and using marble on the east side wall. The plan was to raise $120,000 from all the members of the UN but that backfired. Finally, Norway took over the extra expenses. The mural was incorporated just in time for the inauguration.
The chamber was built to survive decades and that reflects in the design and architecture of the room.
