One World Trade Center designed by David Childs (Architecture)

Opened in October of 2014, New York’s One World Trade Center has already become a cultural icon. The building is now the tallest in the Western Hemisphere, standing at 1776 feet high, with a 408-foot spire standing atop the building. Architect David Childs designed One World Trade Center after the 9/11 attack that killed over 2600 people in and around the Twin Towers. This attack was a tragedy unparalleled in American history that irrevocably changed American culture. It deeply scarred the American psyche, but it especially affected those in New York City and Lower Manhattan. One World Trade Center is the now the focal point of Lower Manhattan’s rebirth and redesign following the attacks. Architect David Childs, a well-known New York architect, was commissioned to begin the reconstruction of Lower Manhattan through this project and the 7 World Trade Center building which is another aspect of the new World Trade Center complex. Childs is a graduate of the Yale School of Architecture, and he has designed several other well-regarded buildings across the New York skyline, including the New York Mercantile Exchange and the JFK International Arrivals building. His knowledge and experience in the city made him distinctly qualified to design the most important symbol of rebirth and strength in New York’s history.

The two themes most prominently displayed in the One World Trade Center building are strength and hope. First, the building exudes strength both symbolically and literally. It was constructed with a state-of-the–art line safety system that very nearly ensures that it could not collapse in a way similar to the Twin Towers. In addition, it is one of the tallest standing buildings in the world, and its sleek chrome design is prominently displayed in the New York skyline. These features of the building stand to represent the resilience and fortitude of those in New York City. After a staggering loss, many New Yorkers came together to erect a building unlike any other in the United States, which is truly a testament to their enduring strength. Additionally, One World Trade Center is a symbol of hope and rebirth. The base of the building is a cube that is identical to the bases of the former Twin Towers, and it stands immediately beside the 9/11 Memorial Pools. At night, a horizontal beacon of light is projected from the spire atop the building, and it can be seen for several miles in each direction. These factors combine to show that even after a significant, devastating tragedy, people can and will continue on, making the world a better place than it was before.

The One World Trade Center is very beautiful in person, and is truly overwhelming when one stands next to it. When looking straight up next to one of the sides of the building, it appears as if the building is a triangle rising into the sky. When standing at the corner, the building seems to grow into the air. The chrome of the building’s windows are also magnificently bright on a sunny day. These optical aspects of the design make One World Trade Center very visually appealing while it is also functionally effective and symbolically significant. Furthermore, the view from the Observation Deck of the building is spectacular—one can see the entire Manhattan skyline and look across the river to New Jersey. Especially at night, it is a sight unlike any other. Finally, the building’s proximity to the 9/11 Memorial Pools and Museum also offers some light in what is a very dark part of the city. The building stands as a symbol of hope, which is uplifting after visiting the memorial and museum, which truly can cause one to dwell on the tragedy of the 9/11 attacks. Overall, One World Trade Center is a representation of the strength and resilience of New Yorkers and a reminder that there is still hope even after the bleakest moments.