The World Trade Center: The Challenge of the Future (Architectures)

With its instantly recognizable twin towers of steel, the World Trade Center was an international architectural icon. Initiated in 1960 by David and Nelson Rockefeller, completed in 1977, and tragically destroyed in 2001, it had a short life span, but its impact on the world was indelible. This important volume pays tribute to this world landmark and looks ahead to the future of the World Trade Center. From its inception to its ascendancy to its intended place in world commerce, "The World Trade Center" chronicles the history of the Twin Towers through an insightful text and magnificent photographs. Readers are taken behind the scenes where they witness the various phases of construction of architect Minoru Yamasaki's seven-building complex. They follow the tumultuous saga of the World Trade Center as it initially failed to attract its intended tenants and was met with scepticism by New Yorkers who scorned its style and resented the challenges it posed to downtown traffic. Over the years, however, the World Trade Center emerged as an important world landmark and a thriving commercial hub, complete with a complex network of shops, businesses, and its own zip code. The World Trade Center became an emblem of New York City, immortalized in movies and art, a theme which is explored in one of the chapters of this book. Another chapter delves into the attacks of September 11, 2001, describing the horrific events of the day and the devastating aftermath in an unflinching journalistic account. The final chapter of the book is devoted to reconstruction of the site, with a detailed look at the various components of the plan to rebuild Ground Zero, including Daniel Libeskind's Freedom Tower, the Memorial Plaza, the Memorial Museum, and the futuristic transportation hub designed by Santiago Calatrava. While looking forward, this volume also insures that we never forget.