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Sphere Desks by Hella Jongerius

The UN didn't, that we know of, ask a group of Dutch designers to renovate the North Delegates' Lounge specifically for President Obama's visit this week, though the U.S. leader now has the option to take a break in a newly designed space, donated by the Netherlands to the UN. The project is the work of a group of collaborators, led by Hella Jongerius and including Rem Koolhaas, Irma Boom, Gabriel Lester and Louise Schouwenberg, who contributed original furniture and architectural input. The group maintained the art already on display in the lounge, but removed an entire mezzanine added in 1978 in order to reveal more of the lounge's view of the East River. The space, which was previously designed by Le Corbusier and Oscar Niemeyer, has distinct areas for formal meetings as well as a place for casual food and drinks. This smaller scale renovation follows a much larger renovation of the United Nations building started in 2010 to reduce energy costs. [images via Hella Jongerius' Jongeriuslab and Designboom]

On Wednesday September 25, Queen Máxima of the Netherlands will visit the United Nations to officially open the lounge.