The United Nations Secretariat Building on Manhattan’s East River was designed between 1947 and 1951 as part of the United Nations headquarters. The project was led by American architect Wallace K. Harrison, with contributions from a global team, including Le Corbusier of France and Oscar Niemeyer of Brazil. Rooted in the principles of the International Style, the building introduced New York City’s first glass curtain wall skyscraper, emphasizing simplicity, functionality, and modern construction techniques.
The United Nations Secretariat Building Technical Information
- Lead Architect1-13: Wallace K. Harrison
- Board of Design Members: Le Corbusier, Oscar Niemeyer, Nikolai G. Bassov, Gaston Brunfaut, Ernest Cormier, Liang Seu-Cheng, Sven Markelius, Sir Howard Robertson, G.A. Soilleux, Julio Vilamajó
- Location: Turtle Bay, Manhattan, New York City, USA
- Client: United Nations
- Height: 505 ft (154 m)
- Floor Area: 889,000 sq ft | 82,600 m²
- Project Year: 1948 – 1951
- Photographs: Unsplash Users, See Caption Details
The United Nations building is 100% the architecture and urbanism of Le Corbusier.
– Le Corbusier 1
The United Nations Secretariat Building Photographs
The United Nations Secretariat Building Context and Origins
Standing on Manhattan’s eastern shore, the United Nations Secretariat Building symbolizes international diplomacy. Designed to house the administrative arm of the United Nations, the Secretariat Building transformed a once run-down district into a beacon of global unity.
The journey began in 1946 when John D. Rockefeller Jr.’s donation of an 18-acre site in Turtle Bay paved the way for the UN’s permanent headquarters. Located on extraterritorial land, the site allowed the United Nations to operate independently of local jurisdiction, marking its unique international status. An eclectic team of architects led by Wallace K. Harrison was tasked with creating this monumental structure. Among them were modernist luminaries like Le Corbusier and Oscar Niemeyer, whose collaborative, though sometimes contentious, efforts birthed the Secretariat’s iconic form.
The design brief called for a 39-story skyscraper without setbacks—a radical departure from Manhattan’s prevailing architectural language. Despite debates about the role of individual contributions, the building’s slab-like form became a hallmark of modernist architecture, embodying the ideals of simplicity and functionality.
Architectural Design and Style
The United Nations Secretariat Building is a quintessential example of the International Style, characterized by its clean lines, minimalist aesthetic, and emphasis on material honesty. At 505 feet tall, the structure is a narrow rectangular slab oriented north-south, maximizing daylight exposure. The facades are a contrast study: the east and west elevations feature glass curtain walls. At the same time, the north and south ends are clad in Vermont marble, creating a powerful juxtaposition of transparency and solidity.
This was New York City’s first skyscraper to utilize a glass curtain wall, an innovation that revolutionized the city’s skyline. The curtain walls, with their blue-green glass panels, offered both aesthetic appeal and functional advantages by reducing heat gain on the western elevation. Inside, the building’s modular design reflected the hierarchical needs of its occupants, with secretarial staff situated centrally and diplomats occupying perimeter offices with views of the East River or Midtown Manhattan.
Le Corbusier’s early concept sketches introduced brise-soleil, or sun-breakers, as a shading device for the facade. However, these were omitted due to cost and maintenance concerns, highlighting the compromises inherent in such an ambitious project.
Challenges, Renovations, and Legacy
From the outset, the Secretariat Building faced numerous challenges. Delays and budget constraints plagued early construction, forcing the architects to downsize certain elements. Post-construction, the building grappled with practical issues, including frequent leaks in its pioneering curtain walls and inefficiencies in its heating and cooling systems.
By the late 20th century, the Secretariat Building had become technologically outdated and environmentally unsustainable. A significant renovation began in 2010, addressing these shortcomings while respecting the building’s architectural legacy. The overhaul replaced the original single-pane glass with energy-efficient, blast-resistant panels. Outdated mechanical systems were upgraded, and asbestos was removed, ensuring compliance with modern building codes. The project also incorporated green building features, reaffirming the building’s status as a forward-thinking landmark.
Despite these updates, the Secretariat has faced its share of criticism. Architectural commentator Lewis Mumford called it a “superficial aesthetic triumph,” while others pointed to its reliance on air conditioning and its lack of adaptability. Yet, even its detractors acknowledged its symbolic significance, with Mumford noting that it represents “bureaucracy ruling the world.”
Influence on Modern Architecture
The Secretariat Building’s impact extends far beyond the boundaries of the United Nations complex. Its revolutionary use of a glass curtain wall inspired a wave of modernist skyscrapers, including Manhattan landmarks like Lever House and the Seagram Building. These structures, in turn, influenced office tower design worldwide, cementing the Secretariat’s legacy as a pioneer of high-rise architecture.
Moreover, the building exemplifies how architecture can serve as a vehicle for diplomacy. Its transparent facades and clean geometric lines reflect the ideals of openness and collaboration—values central to the United Nations’ mission. As a global icon, the Secretariat Building is not only a functional workspace but a testament to the enduring relevance of modernist principles in architecture and governance.
The United Nations Secretariat Building Plans
The United Nations Secretariat Building Image Gallery
About Wallace K. Harrison
Wallace K. Harrison was a prominent American architect known for his influential role in shaping modernist architecture in the mid-20th century. Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, Harrison studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris before co-founding the firm Harrison & Abramovitz. His career is marked by iconic projects, including the Rockefeller Center, the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, where he served as the lead architect. As the Director of Planning for the UN headquarters, Harrison collaborated with a global team of architects, merging modernist principles with international ideals. His work epitomizes the fusion of functionality, simplicity, and bold aesthetics that defined the era, leaving a lasting legacy in both American and global architecture.
Notes & Additional Credits
- The quote highlights Le Corbusier’s strong belief in his contributions to the project, despite it being a collaborative effort. He viewed the design, particularly the iconic Secretariat Building, as embodying his modernist principles, even though compromises were made during the planning and construction phases.
- Lead Architect: Wallace K. Harrison (Director of Planning)
- Board of Design Members: Le Corbusier (France), Oscar Niemeyer (Brazil), Nikolai G. Bassov (Soviet Union), Gaston Brunfaut (Belgium), Ernest Cormier (Canada), Liang Seu-Cheng (China), Sven Markelius (Sweden), Sir Howard Robertson (United Kingdom), G.A. Soilleux (Australia), Julio Vilamajó (Uruguay)
- Interior Designer: Abel Sorenson
- Facade Manufacturer: General Bronze Corporation
- Steel Engineer: David Fine (United States Steel)
- Main Contractors: George A. Fuller Company, Turner Construction, Walsh Construction Company, Slattery Contracting Company
- Architectural Style: International Style
- Structure: Steel superstructure with marble and glass facade
- Facade Materials: Blue-green heat-absorbing glass curtain walls (west and east facades), Vermont marble slabs (north and south facades)
- Building Dimensions: 72 ft by 287 ft (22 m by 87 m)
- Curtain Wall Glass Area: 300,000 sq ft (28,000 m²)
- Floor Count: 39 above-ground stories, 3 basement levels
