Place des nations

Year of completion: 2006
Scope: Water feature design, from concept to detail design and on-site supervision and commissioning

Place des Nations is a large square located in the heart of Geneva's international district, in front of the United Nations headquarters. In the center of the square lies the famous “Broken Chair,” which commemorates victims of mine disasters. Designed by Arlette Ortis and Christian Drevet, the paving is built of big marble blocks sourced in the countries that make up the UN, representing their diversity. Seven rows of 12 individually controlled jets surge up from the ground, symbolically uniting the countries of the world through water.