How the United Nations Headquarters Was Smart Before Its Time

A UK perspective on a pioneering building that shaped the future of intelligent environments

Built in the 1950s, the United Nations Headquarters in New York became an icon of modernist architecture. Yet its most forward‑thinking features were not visible from the outside.

Behind the glass and steel exterior was a ground-breaking approach to climate control that helped define what we now call a smart building.

January 21, 2026

A climate engineered for collaboration

In the early 1950s, as optimism surged in the post‑war era, the United Nations Secretariat tower rose on Manhattan’s East River. Designed by Le Corbusier and Oscar Niemeyer, and supported by land donated by the Rockefeller family, it symbolised a new age of diplomacy.

But the real innovation was inside. Johnson Controls, then known as Johnson Service Company, installed more than 2,500 thermostats throughout the building. That equated to one thermostat for every 33 square metres, each controlling its own air conditioning unit.

The result was a level of environmental precision that supported comfort, clarity and calm decision‑making. Long before the term smart building existed, Johnson Controls was already enabling spaces that adapted to the needs of the people inside them.

For more on how we support building performance today, explore our HVAC and Building Controls Solutions.

From thermostats to intelligent buildings

The same spirit of innovation continues to guide Johnson Controls. Today, our OpenBlue platform uses artificial intelligence and advanced analytics to optimise energy use, safety and sustainability across entire estates.

OpenBlue typically delivers up to 10% energy savings and an ROI of around 155%, with an average payback period of just eight months. It transforms buildings into responsive, adaptive environments that support wellbeing, efficiency and long‑term value.

If you are exploring ways to improve energy performance, you may find our guidance on net zero buildings helpful.

Celebrating 140 years of innovation

From global institutions like the United Nations to submarines, schools, hospitals and skyscrapers, Johnson Controls has been shaping healthier, safer and more sustainable environments for 140 years.

As we mark this milestone, we are not only reflecting on our history. We are accelerating towards a future where buildings are smarter, more resilient and more sustainable than ever.

Discover how we can help you unlock economic and environmental benefits in your own facilities through building optimisation and digital transformation.