James L. Crawford. James worked as an equities trader at Cantor Fitzgerald before he died at 33 in the twin towers. He married his wife on September 11th, 1999. He was loving, friendly, and known for his infectious spirit. I did not know Mr. Crawford personally, but I stood in front of his name at the 9/11 memorial in lower Manhattan while on a family vacation. He stood out to me, for a white rose was carefully placed on the reflecting pool’s etched steel to signify his birthday. Countless innocent individuals, each with their own deep passions and goals, tragically lost their lives as a 20th-century architectural icon crumbled to dust in a matter of hours. 

How do architects build out of a catastrophe? How do you honor the fallen while meeting the demands of a global financial hub? These questions hung over the heads of countless firms when the plans to revitalize ground zero were initiated immediately after the 9/11 attacks. The original competition for a new One World Trade Center produced designs with incredibly stark differences. Some paid direct homage to the two towers that once stood, while others resembled organic masses full of complex geometry. I included images of other firms’ designs to showcase how different the now iconic symbol of American resilience could have been. 

 The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, in collaboration with firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), chose simplicity and elegance when finalizing the design for One World Trade Center that we see today. Some consider the building to be bland; however, I see it as both a fitting tribute and a look to the future with regard to the original Twin Towers. With a footprint that symbolically is the exact length and width of the original towers, One World Trade gently twists itself via isosceles triangles that forms a distinct shape, reminiscent of an obelisk, designed to reflect the sun. It stands at a fitting 1,776 feet, but only its imposing spire creates the height difference between itself and the original twins. The building, when exposed to any sunlight, physically gleams as a beacon of hope for the city to admire. 

The most significant challenge of designing this magnificent structure related to safety. SOM aspired to create not only the tallest building in the western hemisphere, but also the safest. An extensive concrete core acts as a central spine to ensure the building’s stability. Within this core, almost impenetrable to any force, lies wide, well-lit and incredibly wide staircases, high-speed elevators, and separate air systems. Despite this building being a physical fortress, architects worked to ensure the spaces felt inviting to any worker or guest. One of the most distinctive differences between One World Trade and its predecessors is the overwhelming presence of glass windows. Instead of the narrow slits that caged employees in the Twin Towers, floor to ceiling glass provides unparalleled, extensive views of the New York skyline and the harbor below. 

Buildings define national identity. Despite remaining controversy regarding the unfinished future of the ground zero project, I personally believe that the buildings that comprise it are elegant and inspiring. I truly hope that those who lost their lives on 9/11 will be at peace with a site full of tranquil gardens, waterfalls, and glimmering skyscrapers for all New Yorkers to enjoy.