BACKGROUND
Ken Gardner, a structural engineer, and his mentor, the late Herbert Belton, an architect on the original Emory Roth WTC team, were convinced from the start of the necessity that there be a viable alternative to the official plan. The design was keyed to restoring the memorable skyline of Lower Manhattan. The new facade (which it is important to note has not been integrated into the images of the Twin Towers pictured throughout this site) only adds to the elegance of the overall effect by echoing the verticality of the original design.
The Belton-Gardner collaboration, which structural engineer Ken Gardner has worked so hard to complete in the years since the death of architect Herbert Belton, parallels the work that original WTC Architect Minoru Yamasaki and his team contributed to the original – the creative concept and design work. Just as the Yamasaki design required the technical proficiency of the Emory Roth architects, engineers and draftsmen to produce the construction drawings, this wondrously complete plan could be in construction by early in 2009, if the commitment were made.
For Mr. Belton, being able to tap into his early experiences and channel them into upgraded Twin Towers was the stirring culmination of an honorable career. For Ken Gardner, the intricate re-engineering of the plan required all of his energy and a monumental commitment that was only possible because of an unshakable belief in how much it mattered. With that work completed, he was finally able to turn his attention to the facade, resulting in this final, improved version.
This plan is gaining a lot of support behind the scenes, because it clearly outperforms the official plan across the board. We believe that official due diligence will finally establish that its adoption would be less radical and more responsible than staying on the current course.
Click on the headers to browse the interactive grid below, which provides highlights of the Twin Towers II Plan.
The Twin Towers
The new facade has an angelic elegance that pays tribute to Mr. Yamasaki's emphasis on the flow of movement upward to "give the man on the street an experience of aspiration like the towers of the great Gothic cathedrals did in medieval days." The trident shape has been conformed precisely to the original curvature, though the overall proportion is significantly larger to accommodate the 40" windows – resulting in a greater expanse of glass and therefore even more light into the lobbies.
The plan introduces grade-level plazas for the commercial space, while the memorial is situated on an elevated super-block. The positioning of the North Memorial along West Street creates the secure environment that allows for spectacular six-story lobbies that are drenched in sunlight.
The grand space invites visitors into an awe-inspiring 21st Century urban cathedral to the human spirit. The six-story space bathed in light features a glowing onyx-clad elevator core and western views of the adjoining garden.
Two 60-story office buildings form the base of the towers. These floors offer column-free floorplates without compromising the enhanced structural resilience.
Two towers, with an atrium rising through each edifice, will sit atop the commercial base, successfully addressing the density concerns inherent in the upper floors.
In each tower, the 67th floor skylobby will open onto a spectacular skypark and some of the most extraordinary interior space ever built. The soaring atrium will be encompassed by either the most extraordinary residences ever built, or the most exclusive corporate suites anywhere, boasting some of the most amazing views in the world.
In the South Tower, the atrium is crowned by a faceted skylight, now in design and development. In the North Tower, dual spiral staircases within the ornamental mast will echo the ascent to the top of the Statue of Liberty, taking those who make that climb over 1700 feet into the sky.
At the top of the North Tower will be a splendid new Windows on the World, with interior seating overlooking the skypark, as well as the vista beyond. The restaurant will be topped by a duplex of superb banquet facilities.
Advances in communications now allow for twin observation decks. At the top of the South Tower, the carefully designed original observation deck would be recreated. Atop the North Tower, surrounding the entrance to the commemorative mast would be an observation deck and tribute to the vision of America enshrined in the Statue of Liberty.
The Twin Memorials
The design is rich in relevance and would be the first part of the project to be constructed. It could be built at a considerable savings over the current design and would be free of the onerous operating costs and difficulties inherent in the proposed memorial, which would require an admission charge to maintain the mechanical features. It could be completed well in advance of the tenth anniversary.
The memorials, designed in close collaboration with 9/11 families, are built on the respective footprints and connected by a Garden of Inspiration, with its First Responders' Memorial respectfully honoring those who gave their lives on that fateful day. The granite clad facades will be engraved with the names of those lost in the respective towers.
The South Tower Memorial is located in the Austin Tobin Plaza alongside the Koenig Sphere. It incorporates remnants of the ruined Towers into the facade as a visible symbol of overcoming.
The North Tower Memorial is surrounded by a recreated Yamasaki façade and both footprints are encircled with the flags of the 88 nations that lost citizens on September 11th. The memorial complex includes a museum at grade level.
The Lower Buildings
WTC 3 includes five 96,000 square-foot trading floors where it connects to the South Tower. Included in the base of this building is the transportation center. A permanent home for the World Trade Institute, with its dedication to furthering the peaceful vision at the heart of the World Trade Center, would be housed within. And located at the top would be the Opera House and Cultural Exchange Center, where a universal spirit of cooperation can flourish.
WTC 3, 4 and 5 comprise over 1 million square feet of retail space. The underground mall will be accessible through all buildings on the complex. A marvelous tree-covered streetscape, including restaurants, mom-and-pop stores, as well as major retail establishments, will create a vibrant 24/7 neighborhood setting for Lower Manhattan and a wonderful pedestrian environment.
WTC 6/Hotel will feature a full 12-story atrium and balconies with river views.
Safety and Environmental Considerations
The retrograde insistence on restoring the pre-WTC street grid is the principal justification for the official plan. According to reports, the WTC site would be placed in a secure zone into which only vehicles with special trusted access could enter, with the boundaries of this zone extending beyond the site. Critics have expressed concern that these restrictions would make conducting business in lower Manhattan very difficult.
The Twin Towers II Plan resolves the security issues without resorting to the onerous requirements set forth for the current plan. The location and design of the Twin Towers makes them secure from truck bomb attacks. The proposed lower buildings row of outer columns act as inconspicuous bollards. Vehicles can be directed to a screening center off the streets so that neighborhood traffic flow is not harmed.
The integration into the neighborhood that was the ostensible reason for introducing the streets is addressed and enhanced by the delightful pedestrian thoroughfares at grade level.
The latest green technology will be employed in the generation and consumption of energy, in the most advanced fresh-air circulation, and in fostering a spirit of innovation and sustainability.
Safety Upgrades
The latest advances in escape technology – such as fire-relief floors and escape elevators will pioneer advances in skyscraper safety in the United States.
GALLERY || METRICS || MEMORIAL || FAQs || ABOUT TWIN TOWERS II || MEDIA || INSPIRATION
© 2008-2009 WTC2011.com | All Rights Reserved
Contact us | Join us on Facebook
http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php