United national buildings

The United Nations Headquarters in New York is a group of building set in beautifully landscaped grounds. At night, from across the East River it seems to float on a platform of light above the shining water.

Some people consider it a brilliantly planned, superbly executed example of functional design; some call it an architectural monstrosity. But all agree that the buildings have the striking beauty of their own. The different buildings of the group, each individually distinctive in design, are closely associated stylistically and functionally.

The Secretariat Building is one of the most remarkable structures in the world. The building is 505 feet high. It has 39 storeys above ground and several below. It is 289 feet long. The windows are set in aluminium frames. The blue-green glass of the windows is of a special composition to permit a maximum of light with a minimum of heat. The ends of the building are entirely of marble from Vermont, 2, 000 tons of it. It is connected at various levels with the other buildings.

The Conference Building contains a wide range of facilities: three large council chambers, each containing about 400 public and 120 press seats. There are also several big committee rooms, the main delegates' lounge and a restaurant.

The General Assembly Building and the Auditorium. This building is of curious double concave shape. Its chief function is to provide a suitable meeting hall for the annual Assembly meeting. The great auditorium is 380 feet long, varies from 160 feet wide on the south to 220 feet on the north. It seats 920 delegates and advisers, 1, 000 visitors, 420 press representatives.

EXERCISES

I. Answer the following questions:

1. Where is the United Nations Headquarters situated? 2. How many storeys has the Secretariat Building? 3. What kind of glass was used for the windows of this building? 4. What facilities does the Conference Building contain? 5. What shape is the General Assembly Building of?

II. Complete the following sentences:

1. This group of buildings is set in.... 2. These buildings are individually distinctive in... 3. The glass of windows is of special composition to permit... 4. The ends of the building are of.... 5. The Secretariat Building is connected with....6. The chief function of the General Assembly Building is to provide…

III. Read and translate the following word combinations: