WTC Design Proposals
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- Geith
Don't know if this has been already discussed, but the Lower Manhattan Development Corp released six proposals for the WTC. Link here (registration required):
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/1…
My initial reaction:
Libeskind: Majestic from afar, but appears jumbled and chaotic close-up. I don't want to see anything reminiscent of destruction.
Foster: Unimaginative, akward, ugly, uninspired. Footprints are a respectful approach however.
Meier: What the hell were they thinking? This looks like a bad Lego accident. Can you say prison bars? I do like the idea of connecting the buildings.
Think: A stoic, non-commerical tribute. By far the most elegant, if a little creepy. A creative approach.
United: Ugly, convoluted, melted, horrific shapes. Get outta here. Is this a tribute or a permanent nightmare?
Peterson: A simple, ego-less design that integrates seamlessly with the current landscape. Very fitting with the surrounding buildings. The most conservative of all, but perhaps the best approach.
Skidmore: The large interior space is nice, but the twisted, distorted shapes are best left for the scrap-heap across the bay.
- unknown0
I can't see the link.
I did see the united proposal though, and I must say it's pretty disturbing. from some angles it looks like the building is colapsing on to itself...very creepy and not suitible for the site.
- Geith0
You need to register to see the NY Times link. I'll see if I can find the others.
- unknown0
http://www.renewnyc.com/plan_des…
the official site
- unknown0
"United: Ugly, convoluted, melted, horrific shapes. Get outta here. Is this a tribute or a permanent nightmare? "
I think it is one of the best...the top needs a better finish and it should use lighter colors...looks to heavy now...I agree....
The way it is built does bring a special ambience to the memorial spot....lightreflections give it a sacred feel to it....
thoughtful.
- xrusos0
no this is the official site:
http://www.sujee.net/albums/2001…
- mitsu0
just go here to see them all:
http://www.cnn.com/2002/US/North…
look under the 'Related' column for a detailed comparison.
- unknown0
I posted the United version a couple of hours ago in PBS:
http://www.unitedarchitects.org/…
(It was on all the newspaper covers today in NL)
- unknown0
a building of that magnitude and hight has to look like it can stand. these twisted, bending buildings are very unconfortable to look at.
- unknown0
but they DO stand...well, that's what they say...
hehe
- xrusos0
i think the united architects one is the best... watch the video on their site... it makes me want it there right away.
next is studio libeskind's design (the one with the thin tower with the gardens in it)
- unknown0
my favourite would be think design
it opens up the sky and is very imaginative. some of the others look like walls, blocking light and everyones view.
- unknown0
of all the architects in the world and these are the final proposals?! thats sad. the lego one is awful. i mean, honestly...what individual designs a building like THAT and has the team to back him or her up and say "thats a nice design", and a committee that agrees with it as well! it looks like a hollywood set to total recall 2. and that Foster one is just ridiculous. it looks like a jenga set ready to topple. Stand strong WTC! even if you do look like the eiffel tower times 10. what a fuckin joke.
- sp0
which is the way i feel, as discussed in early threads both here and at fused.
i am let down that peter eisenman worked to design that proposal. i really enjoy his work, his writing and i've met the man once at a lecture, and to see that propasal, it makes me sad.
as i said before, they are poor designs.
- Geith0
exactly, mr. nice. that's what i'm talkin' about. WTF?
"oh yes, mr. meier, that's wonderful. the connected cross-hatching of the buildings creates harmonic symbiosis, a communal aesthetic."
I can just hear the colleagues pumping each other's egos.
That's why I prefer the understated elegance of the Peterson/Littenberg and Think proposals.
- mbr0
Here's the link with all the projects, images, info, etc.:
http://www.lowermanhattan.info/r…
Yes, it's very disappointing Eisenman and Meier were involved with the tic tac toe travesty. I admire both of their works. Holl is great, but formally he is lacking. Looks like his work.
Libeskinds is the most impressive addition to the skyline. I like it, but I agree that he needs to get rid of some of those cut lines.
THINK is interesting, but two huge steel cages identical to the wtc is unattractive, and really serves no purpose.
Foster's wouldn't be too bad if it was scaled down about 40%
The others are just plain horrible. Sure, nice moments, but as an over all project they get a D- .
Now let some of us younger designers have a go at it!
- sp0
honestly, i've seen some designers on here with some beautiful architecture work...
i think if refined there would be a few very good architects on this forum.
i wish contests of this magnitude didn't rely on name and status...which, clearly what the wtc design proposals relied on.
- unknown0
BBC results so far:
Richard Meier and Partners
10.26%Foster and Partners
35.17%Skidmore Owings and Merrill group
2.34%Think team
14.47%United Architects
6.07%Studio Libeskind
9.54%Peterson/Littenberg
22.13%Fosters seems a winner here.....
hmmm...