The intervention proposal for the WTO Trade Center, developed by Rábago__Architects in collaboration with Neil Damy, is located within the William Rappard Center (WRC) in Geneva, a global reference in diplomacy and home to several key international organizations.
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Trade Center OMC Switzerland
Institutional Architecture (Concept)
Firm
Rabago__Architects + Neil Damy
Architect/Designer
Arnoldo Rabago + Neil Damy
Design Team
Arnoldo Rábago, Neil Damy, Gabriela Gutiérrez, Ivette Romero, Yannick Portillo, and Jorge López de Obeso (Eosis)
Location
Geneva, Switzerland
Country
Mexico
Photographer/Copyright
©Rabago__Architects
Website
https://www.rabagoarchitects.com
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/rabago__architects/
https://www.instagram.com/neildamy/
Facebook
N/A
Whatsapp
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Situated on the banks of the RhĂ´ne River, the project is in an area that hosts institutions such as the United Nations Office and the International Red Cross. Surrounded by historic buildings like the Palais des Nations and the League of Nations Building, the WRC is embedded in a culturally and politically significant context.
The intervention expands office space while preserving the historical identity of the original building. To achieve this, the new structure is detached from the existing one, avoiding direct annexation that could compromise its heritage value. This separation is articulated through an intermediate plaza, serving as a transition space and maintaining the original building as the ensemble’s central feature.
The expansion incorporates rectangular volumes organized with a rhythm defined by varying heights, complementing the WRC’s historic structure and creating a harmonious transition between old and new. Glazed façades maximize natural light and contribute to integrating the new volumes within their context.
The functional design is organized along two main axes. The vertical axis, centered on the lobby, connects new areas to the building’s original core. The horizontal axis organizes offices and service areas in the expanded sector, ensuring smooth interaction between zones. Two vertical circulation cores link the levels, efficiently integrating all operational spaces.
Taking advantage of the site’s varying topography, the main entrance is located below street level, placing users in a position that directs their view toward the park, river, and historic building. The entrance level combines below-grade areas—such as archives, security, and document reproduction—with visible spaces, including the library and restaurant, which benefit from elevated views and engagement with the landscape.
The expansion adds 18,000 m² of office space designed to accommodate collaborative environments, meeting rooms, and multifunctional areas that respond to contemporary demands for flexibility and productivity. This design maximizes functionality, natural light access, and reduces reliance on artificial lighting.
In terms of materials, glass, steel, and concrete are employed for their functional and aesthetic properties. Façades use glass and steel to create light and efficient compositions, while concrete provides structural support and stability.
During Geneva’s long winters, the concrete slabs act as thermal accumulators, regulating indoor fluctuations and maintaining stable interior temperatures. In summer, the thermal inertia of concrete, combined with cross-ventilation and shading systems, enhances thermal comfort and minimizes the need for intensive mechanical systems. The intervention at the WTO Trade Center represents a thoughtful adaptation of a historical space to contemporary needs. The expansion not only increases the WRC’s operational capacity but also reinforces its role as a diplomatic hub by integrating old and new volumes in a functional and contextually respectful design.
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