How the United Nations headquarters was smart before its time

Built in the 1950s, the United Nations HQ dazzled with its modernist design – but it was the pioneering climate control technology behind the scenes that ushered in the age of smart buildings.

September 04, 2025

When people come together, creativity, intellect and passion collide. In the 1940s, it was such a meeting of minds that led to the construction of the United Nations headquarters – a significant milestone in our story, which spans more than 140 years.

The climate of consensus

Manhattan, 1953. A new kind of building rises on the East River. The United Nations headquarters – sleek, modern and unapologetically international. Designed by architectural greats Le Corbusier and Oscar Niemeyer. Land gifted by Rockefeller. Diplomacy rendered in glass and steel.

But beneath its striking façade lay a quieter story. One not of politics but of precision.

In the hey-day of post-war optimism, Johnson Controls – then Johnson Service Company – was already thinking ahead.

They installed over 2,500 thermostats across the Secretariat tower. One for every 33 square meters. Each regulating its own air conditioning unit. Together, they created a climate of control. Cool air. Calm minds. A system engineered for consensus.

This was before innovation became a buzzword. Before AI. Before sustainability became strategy. Johnson Controls was already shaping environments that supported clarity, comfort and collaboration.

From thermostats to thinking buildings

Today, that same ethos drives innovation.

Our award-winning OpenBlue platform uses AI and analytics to optimize energy, safety and sustainability. It delivers up to 10% energy savings and 155% ROI – with an average payback of just eight months.

Buildings that think. Systems that adapt. Environments that respond.

More than 140 years of impact

From the UN to submarines. From skyscrapers to classrooms. Johnson Controls has helped the world breathe easier for over 140 years.

We’re proud of our history, and we’re excited about building the future – a future that’s smarter, safer, healthier and more sustainable.

Our motivation to innovate building technology is unstoppable. See how we’re delivering next-generation control to help you achieve your building management goals.