The UN headquarters in Geneva is awaiting an expensive reconstruction

Geneva - The United Nations is preparing to renovate its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, which is plagued by old wiring, drafty windows, and approximately 40 kilometers of rusting pipes. This was reported today by the AP agency.
    After the renovation, the 80-year-old Palais des Nations (Palace of Nations) is expected to look the same inside and out as when it was taken over in the 1930s by its predecessor, the League of Nations, said American architect Michael Adlerstein.
    Adlerstein, who is working on the reconstruction of the UN headquarters in New York, hopes that the initial studies of the Geneva headquarters will be completed this year. Following that, a more detailed plan will be prepared to specify what needs to be replaced and what can be retained.
    However, a complete replacement of the electrical systems, plumbing, and other utilities, sanitary facilities, and windows, which are already said to have reached the end of their lifespan, will reportedly be unavoidable.
    The UN estimates that just the replacement of 1,680 windows will cost the budget $18 million (over 387 million crowns). Electricians are then expected to lay approximately 100 kilometers of cables. According to the UN, there are about 200 kilometers of piping in the building, of which at least 40 kilometers needs to be replaced due to rust.
    The Palace of Nations has a total floor area of 157,348 square meters. The building, which has 34 conference rooms, employs more than 4,000 staff. They have access to 2,800 offices.