Launch of an International Architectural Competition for WIPO

Geneva, November 3, 1998
Press Releases PR/1998/146

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is organizing an international architectural competition for the extension of its administrative headquarters in Geneva. The competition will relate to three independent elements:

(1) an office building providing at least 500 workplaces, several small meeting rooms, an underground car park for about 300 vehicles, a 300-seat cafeteria, service areas and a link to the main WIPO building;

(2) a conference room offering about 600 seats for delegates and equipped with modern six-language interpretation facilities and appropriate computer and audiovisual equipment; this room should be located in immediate proximity to the WIPO conference and meeting facilities;

(3) enlargement and restructuring of the lower floors of the main WIPO building, notably to provide parking facilities for delegates and visitors, to take place in conjunction with the office building and conference room projects.

The total cost of the project should not exceed 82.5 million Swiss francs. It is planned moreover that the new premises should be completed by the end of 2002.

The aim of the competition is to select the project or projects that offer the best solution, in architectural, functional and economic terms, in relation to a local zoning plan approved on July 26, 1995.

The winner or winners of the competition will be mandated with the planning work for the elements concerned, which could be carried out under a total services contract.

Entry Conditions

All architects' offices that have been in operation since January 1, 1995, or before may enter the competition.

Entry Deadline

Requests to enter must be sent by electronic mail, facsimile or mail to:

World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
for the attention of Mr. Francis Gurry
Legal Counsel
ARCHITECTURAL COMPETITION
34, chemin des Colombettes
1211 Geneva 20

Facsimile: (41 22) 733 31 68
E- mail: francis.gurry@wipo.int
to arrive not later than February 26, 1999.

Information Document

WIPO will send an information document by March 15, 1999, free of charge, to all offices whose entries are in order.

Prequalification Procedure

The prequalification dossiers of the entrants should reach WIPO by May 15, 1999, accompanied by payment of the entry fee, namely 300 Swiss francs or 225 US dollars.

The candidates who best meet the prequalification criteria will be admitted to take part in the competition and will receive an invitation from WIPO to submit their projects.

For further information, journalists may apply to the Media Relations and Public Information Section of WIPO:

Tel: (+41 22) 338 98 24 or 338 95 46
Fax: (+41 22) 338 88 10
E-mail: publicinf@wipo.int