The design of the new headquarters of the International Organization for Migration outwardly expresses its purpose: to develop innovative and effective responses to the various challenges associated with global human migration. As increasing numbers of people are moving farther distances across the globe in pursuit of safety and a better quality of life, the Organization carries a more important mission than ever. With the current rise of bipartisan politics, economic instability due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and the ever-present shadow of climate change, the reasons for migration are becoming increasingly complicated and intersectional, and the uncertainty associated with theses issues comes from many directions at once. This provoked us to envision a building that does not have a singular façade, but rather a continuously-curved perimeter-open and ready to receive such issues from all directions.
Anchored to the corner of the site, the building is easily recognizable for its stricking oval shape with differentiates it from the adjacent rectilinear buildings. The friendly, curvilinear profile guides people towards the building while negotiating with the existing trees and surrounding environment.
To retain shared public outdoor space for adjacent institutions and the community, the footprint of the building is smallest at ground level. As the building rises, floor space increases and the building becomes an inverted cone sectionally. Its basket-like shape evokes a universal symbol for gathering and sharing, emphasizing the Organization's capacity to accept and tackle multi-pronged global crises.
