The Security Council Chamber after the 2013 restoration.
Photo: UN.

The Security Council Chamber after the 2013 restoration.
Photo: UN.

From Byggekunst no. 1, 1951. Arnstein Arneberg describes the UN headquarters in New York. The Security Council Chamber is the smallest of the three chambers.

Else Poulssons damask wall covering.

Entrance door with pewter marquetry.

Straw wall covering from Biri on the rear wall.

Per Kroghs painting, Phoenix rising from the ashes.
Photo: UN.

The Security Council in session.
Photo: UN.

The restored round table has data jacks instead of ashtrays.

Seating for press and public.

The Security Council Chamber before restoration. The secretaries were seated at a table in the middle of the circle.
Photo: UN/UD.

The Security Council Chamber during restoration. The secretaries were seated at a table in the middle of the circle.
Photo: UN/UD.

Hanging the new wall covering.
Photo: UN/UD.

Re-upholstered fixed seating.
Photo: UN/UD.

Re-upholstered fixed seating.
Photo: UN/UD.

Fixed seats for secretaries and councillors behind the council members.
Photo: UN/UD.



The interior of the Security Council Chamber in the UN building in New York was a gift from Norway to the UN in 1952. The Chamber was designed by Norwegian architect Arnstein Arneberg, who had close ties to Trygve Lie, the first UN Secretary General. Arneberg and Lie agreed that art was to play an important part in the room, so in addition to the high quality tapestries and fittings that were shipped from Norway, the room is dominated by a five metre high painting by Per Krogh, showing a Phoenix rising from the ashes of the world.

The restoration of the chamber was completed in 2013, as part of the general plan for reconstruction of the UN headquarters. – Our aim was for the conservation work to be done professionally, says Linda Veiby from the Norwegian Directorate of Cultural Heritage, who were involved from the start, as the restoration work was also financed with Norwegian donations. Else Poulsson’s woven wall coverings have been remade, but all the timber and stone elements that were taken down to remove the asbestos underneath, have been restored and remounted. – The experience values of the room have been retained. This is still a Norwegian room.


Facts:

Text by Ingerid Helsing Almaas

The Security Council Chamber was designed by Arnstein Arneberg, and opened in 1952. The restoration was completed in 2013. The work was conducted under the leadership of Kathy Farbod, architect of the UN Department of Management and project manager for the rehabilitation project.