WORLD TRADE CENTER

Dennis BootheJesse Hindle

History of the WTC

Designed by Minoru YamasakiEngineer: Leslie Robertson

Officially opened in 1973Owned by the Port Authority of NY &

NJCost: ~$1.5 billion

Purpose of WTC Design

Aim: Revitalize Downtown Manhattan through providing a single location for international commerce

-12 million sq. feet of office space(40,000 sq. ft per floor)

Response to WTC Design

Small businesses displaced, creating dissent

Local Real Estate Agencies – too much office space offered

Critics: -‘Purposeless gigantism & technological exhibitionism’

- ‘Repetitive architecture can put you to sleep’

Construction of the WTC

Used the slurry trench method

Construction of the WTC

Tube Building- Core and Exterior wall instead of

columns throughout

9/11 Attacks – Reasons for Failure

Plane impact was not the main reason for collapse

Engine fuel caused temperatures of over 1500 degrees F, weakening the structure.

Failure of Perimeter Columns

Structural integrity of WTC depends on closely space columns around perimeter

Steel strength fell as exposed to heat

-> columns deflections increased, causing buckling of walls

1st Runner up – New WTC

THINK Team-Rafael Vinoly &

Frederic Schwartz

-Two towers made of decorative steel towers

-light and elegant design

New WTC Designs

Design by Daniel LibeskindMain features: - 1,776 ft ‘Freedom Tower’- WTC Memorial Museum- ‘Wedge of Light’