Isn’t it remarkable how architecture can embody peace? Here at Maison de la paix, it truly does. This isn’t just a building. It is a symbol of international collaboration and a hub for peace and security initiatives.
Maison de la paix translates to House of Peace. It is owned by the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies. The building serves as the headquarters for the Graduate Institute. It also houses three Geneva Centres. These are the Geneva Centre for Security Policy GCSP. The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining GICHD. The Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces DCAF. The Maison de la paix is the main element of the Campus de la paix.
Designed by Eric Ott, the Maison de la paix is constructed as interconnected divisions. Each division resembles a flower petal when viewed from above. Each section is known as a numbered petal. The project consists of six petals. Petals one and two host the main activities of the Graduate Institute. Petals three through six house the three Geneva Centres. The Swiss Confederation supports all these centres as international foundations.
The petal design maximizes the use of natural light. Sunlight heats the building. Petals one through three feature large open atriums. Skylights pull sunlight from the roof through the center of each petal. The architect considered it one of the greenest buildings in Suisse Romande at the time of its construction.
The first two petals opened in September 2013. Kofi Annan gave the annual Opening Lecture. He is one of the institute’s most well-known alumni. Classes for the Graduate Institute started concurrently in the Maison de la paix.
The Maison de la paix houses classroom space. These classrooms are for most of the Graduate Institute’s masters and PhD programs. Office space is also available for professors and administration.
Inside Maison de la paix you will find the Davis Library. It is named after alumna Kathryn Wasserman Davis and her husband Shelby Cullom Davis. The library holds 350000 physical volumes. They are dedicated to the Graduate Institute’s areas of study. These areas include international and development studies.
Petals three through six host centers. These centers work in international peace and security policy. They include the Geneva Centre for Security Policy GCSP. Also, the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining GICHD including the Gender and Mine Action Programme GMAP. The Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces DCAF is located here too.
The architecture of Maison de la Paix is known for its organic aesthetics. Its interior design and decoration is remarkable. It uses innovative technologies. The six buildings include 94 different curves. That is why the buildings are called petals.
Thanks to innovative technologies, Maison de la Paix has received the Minergie label. All buildings connect to the Genève-Lac-Nations GLN network. Depending on the season, the lake waters provide the buildings with heat or air conditioning. All facades are covered with a double layer of glass. It lets natural light penetrate. It ensures optimum heat and noise insulation.
Four installations and artwork were selected by experts. They contribute to attractive areas. They stimulate thinking, inspiration and discussion. A section of a modern-style Polish building from the 1960s floats in space. A honeycomb pattern creates optical illusions on glass walls. Pictograms on cafeteria plates call upon reflection.
The GICHD is housed at the Maison de la paix campus. It is in the heart of International Geneva. The Maison de la paix is the result of a public-private partnership. It positions itself as an international hub. This hub specializes in expertise and research. The fields are peace and security policy. It contributes to Geneva’s role. Geneva is an international center for diplomacy and dialogue.