New York Harbor
The UN building is conceived as a big tent, with public functions at the ground level and diplomatic functions above. The main entrance is from the plaza, through a security vestibule, with an information center and a cafe adjacent to the entry. Moving walkways running the length of the building terminate at the southern end in a clear "bubble" with views of the Harbor and Verrazano Bridge. Moveable walls at the ground level accommodate temporary functions and "meeting pods" for various interest groups and diplomats. Two large ramps provide access from the lower to the second level. A seasonal garden puncturing the center of the tent loosely establishes two paths within the complex - one for the public, the other for the diplomats.
The tent is a translucent pneumatically-tensed membrane with four bands symbolizing the four continents cut through its surface. Large internal-drainage tensile "columns" are spaced at intervals inside the tent to collect rainwater for filtration and re-use. Photo-voltaic cells are placed on the surface at optimal angles for accumulation of solar energy. Lit from within, the tent will glow at night, and images can be projected onto its surface.