Architecture

ONE WORLD TRADE CENTER: REBIRTH OF NEW YORK’s SOUL

One World Trade Center is a super tall shining tower and striking addition to Lower Manhattan’s skyline in New York City. This seventh tallest building in the world is also known as One WTC or Freedom Tower.

The terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, knocked down the Twin Towers of the original World Trade Center. The new One World Trade Center was rebuilt as the main building of the World Trade Center Complex. The building completed its construction in October 2014 and was named the same as the destroyed structure “The North Tower”.

One World Trade Center, Standing out the Skyline of Manhattan, New York
(Image by dfsym from Pixabay)

DESIGN:

The iconic office building followed the footprints of the original Twin Towers. The design follows the concept of simplicity and geometry.

The building was designed in such a way that it starts to narrow down at the corners from the height of the 20th floor. Therefore, as the building reaches the topmost, the floor plan is again a square, the same as the base but smaller in size and is twisted by 45 degrees. The shape of the plan becomes a perfect octagon at the midpoint of the building. This shapes the building into eight isosceles triangles.

The building has an entry on all four sides to smoothly divide the flow of traffic of the visitors and office tenants.

The plan of the building is similar to Empire state building and the Chrysler Building. The core houses elevators, staircase, mechanical systems, restrooms, standpipes, and communication antennas. And the periphery consists of column-free sunlit office spaces. The two areas are divided by a 10 feet wide corridor.

An amazing view of the lit up Tower at Night
(Photo by Peter Osmenda on Unsplash)

CONSTRUCTION OF THE STRONG STRUCTURE:

The main structure of the building is made of steel with a concrete base. The huge heavy base was designed to protect the building from terrorist attacks at ground level which is 185 feet (56 meters) tall. The strong steel frame and redundant columns and beams of the main structure make the interior space free of columns.

THE HEIGHT OF THE SKYSCRAPER:

One World Trade Center, the tallest building of the United States rises up to 1776 feet (541 meters) high with 104 stories. The height of the building was planned to symbolize the year 1776, the year of the Declaration of United States Independence.

The height of the building can be studied in two parts; the total height of all the floors, and the spire. The height from ground to the top floor is 1368 feet (417 meters) which includes the 33 feet 4 inches (10.16 meter) high parapet. The spire rises up by 408 feet (124 meters) high.

During night time, the spire seems like a beam of light ascending towards the sky.

The Tower & the Spire
(Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay)

One World Trade Center Height makes it fall in the list of the top 10 tallest buildings of the world in 2020.

THE PLANNING:

The tower has a 19 story high public lobby, the office floors are planned from 20-63 and 65-90 stories. Floors 91-99 and 103-104 are dedicated to mechanical purposes.

THE SKY LOBBY:

The unique solution to the division of elevators is the sky lobby. The 64th floor of the tall structure has specifically been designed as a lobby. The only option to reach the sky lobby is the express elevator that only stops at this level. From here the local elevators help to reach the destined floors.

The floor is an entertainment hub of the office building. It consists of lounges, games rooms, cafes, and many other informal spaces.

The sky lobby is the key for all the skyscrapers.

ONE WORLD TRADE CENTER OBSERVATORY:

The unique structure has observation decks located on three floors from 100-102. The floors are planned for different activities. To enjoy the view of New York City the viewing space is planned on the 100th floor.  A food court is on the 101th floor and the space planned for all the events is on the 102nd floor.

The Tower’s Reflective Facade
(Image by Andreas H. from Pixabay)

THE REFLECTING FACADE:

Also, due to its immense size, the building has the most highly visible facade; that why, the aesthetics were of great importance.

The facade consists of stainless steel panels and glass. The exterior consists of a total of 1 million sq. Feet of glass. The glass is able to withstand wind pressure and is blast resistance.

Apart from the size of the building, the way that it catches the light gains the attraction. The crystalline form creates a vibrant effect, as the mirror-like coating refracts the light like a Kaleidoscope.

Al the corners of the building are dressed in laser finished stainless steel that reflects the sunlight as well.

The tallest standing structure is the soul of New York City. The highly attractive mirror-like steel facade is magic to our eyes. The simple geometry and outstanding facade of the tower have grabbed a lot of attention across the globe.