A generous donation from Qatar allowed for a thorough renewal of Room XIX of the United Nations in Geneva. Measuring 4000 square metres, and with a capacity of 800 and 320 desks for the delegates of the nations, it is the largest hall used for plenary assemblies. It was designed by the PEIA studio, whose close collaboration and research conducted with Casalgrande Padana over the years has offered the possibility to experiment, create and innovate, using porcelain stoneware tiles to come up with new patterns, visual effects and cutting and laying solutions with explicit, consistent references to the main elements of the hall and the UN building, helping to bring a unique style to this project. The large-size porcelain stoneware tiles, in the colour MarteThassos, laid with minimal-width joints, create the illusion of a continuous surface, while the wall coverings in the colour Travertino are inspired by those featured in the historic architectures of the UN in Geneva, reminiscent of bas-reliefs and archaeological finds. Some of the floors are tiled in the colours Pietra del Cardoso and Zinco Titanio, alternating shiny and matte finishes, while others feature mosaics with random colour variations mimicking the magnificent triangular wooden “Dune” pattern of the Hall’s imposing vault.
