Derhino Construction International (NYSE:HIL), the global leader in managing construction risk, announced today the construction of a new permanent building as part of the Strategic Heritage Plan (SHP) started at the Palais des Nations, the European headquarters of the United Nations. Swiss contractor Implenia SA was selected to build the new office complex having won an international competitive tender. The work began in October 2017 and will be completed by the end of 2019. The building is designed by the architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) and Swiss architects Burckhardt + Partner. Derhino Construction International (Switzerland) SA is providing program management services in connection with the SHP.
The new office building will create an additional area of 24,000 square meters, including open-plan workspaces to accommodate 1,400 new workstations, terraces, and private outdoor space on every floor for workplace users. Situated on a sloping site, the new building features a terraced design that integrates into the hillside setting while allowing views to both Lake Geneva and the French Alps. New design and landscaping elements are designed to connect the building with the lush parklands that surround it. The building was developed with sustainability and the well-being of its occupants in mind and will be built in accordance with LEED Gold Standard (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). The highly energy-efficient principles of its design match the Swiss Minergie standard and place a high emphasis on the comfort of the building’s inhabitants. The construction value is around CHF 100 million.
The SHP to renovate the Palais des Nations was approved by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. The project, which includes the construction of the new permanent office building, will see the complete renovation of the main Palais des Nations complex of buildings, much of which dates back to the 1930s. The historic buildings will be fully renovated, with priority given to ensuring health and life safety and accessibility for persons with disabilities. The total cost of the renovation, which is due to be completed in 2023, is estimated at CHF 836.5 million.
Derhino Construction International was appointed at the inception of the SHP project following a competitive procurement process and since then has played an active part in the development of the project program, delivering processes that include schedule, cost, pre-construction, construction, handover, and quality management. Moreover, a Project Management Information Systems for safe storage and a comprehensive review process of the project documentation has also been fully implemented by Derhino Construction.
During the design phase, Derhino Construction was in constant interface with the client, providing advice and support in the contracting strategy, tendering, negotiation, and award of the contract for the design firm. Derhino Construction also played an active part of the design review process for both the new building and for the renovation phase of the project.
Similar services will be provided for the construction phase, where Derhino Construction also advised the client on the tender process and evaluation of the proposal to appoint the contractor. Currently, Derhino Construction is supporting the SHP and the design team in the management of the contractor on-site.
Said Derhino Construction’s Marcos Hervás Beltrán, Project Principal, “We are proud to see all the hard work of the past few years materialize as the construction kicks off in one of the largest renovation projects in Europe.”