by ArchitectureWeek

On December 18, 2002, citizens and designers of the United States and the world got a glimpse of some new ideas on how the site of New York's World Trade Center could be transformed over the coming decade. On December 18, 2002, the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation released a new set of design proposals submitted by some of the world's most talented architects. Perhaps skittish after the poor reception given the last round of proposals, the LMDC simultaneously also launched a campaign to solicit public comment.

At the public unveiling, Governor George Pataki said: "The plans are a bold declaration of New York's confidence and of Lower Manhattan's ability to emerge from the tragedy even stronger and better than it was before." Added Mayor Michael Bloomberg: "The plans presented today are imaginative, innovative, and go far beyond anything we have seen to date with regard to the 16 acres [6.5 hectares] of the World Trade Center site."

Responses from Seven Teams

At first glance, the nine schemes from seven teams certainly look more diverse than those presented last summer. Foster and Partners, for instance, proposes to reassemble the iconic skyline, "to celebrate New York's positive spirit with a unique twinned tower — the most secure, the greenest, and the tallest in the world. The crystalline tower is based on triangular geometries —cross-cultural symbols of harmony, wisdom, purity, unity and strength."   >>>

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Foster and Partners offered a proposal for rebuilding the site of the World Trade Center. This and eight other designs were unveiled in December. Image: Foster and Partners The design by Peterson Littenberg Architects creates a new city district. Image: Peterson/ Littenberg Architecture and Urban Design   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.