Security Council Chamber
UN Secretary-General Trygve Lie (1896 – 1968) encouraged Norway, Sweden, and Denmark to contribute funds and architects for the design of the three main chambers within the UN Building and stand as the assembly point for the three major organs, Security Council, ECOSCO and Trusteeship.
Lie and architect Arnstein Arneberg (1882 – 1961) persuaded Norway to become the first country to donate a chamber. Arneberg aimed for the chamber to be representative of contemporary Norwegian culture and contain work by Norwegian artists, including painter Per Krohg and textile artist Else Poulsson. Krohg's mural painting represents man's efforts to emerge from a dark past of war and slavery to a better life and future. Else Poulsson’s draperies and wall textile show the symbols of anchors (faith), wheat (hope) and hearts (charity). The doors have metal inlays of torches and swords, ancient symbols of war, that emphasize the council's responsibility to preserve the peace, investigate conflicts, and take action.
In 2010 the room was stripped bare for the building renovation and room restoration, re-opening in April 2013. Much was done to maintain the décor and reflect the room's purpose to keep the world in a state of peace. The iconic round or ‘C’ shaped table is the restored original and the 15 members rotate their seats on a monthly basis.
The Scandinavian aesthetic is displayed in the austere and minimal quality design. The delegates’ and secretaries’ chairs were designed by Arneberg’s assistant Finn Nilsson and manufactured in Norway by furniture maker Johan Fr. Monrad.
"The Security Council opened for its first official meeting on 4 April 1952 and its members asked that the room be preserved in its original form, with its distinctive and conservative look.
On 16 April 2013, the renovated Chamber was inaugurated in the presence of Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and then-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Norway, Espen Barth Eide, along with members from the Permanent Mission of Norway to the UN and others.