Architecture

BIG reveals eye-catching Two World Trade Center design

BIG reveals eye-catching Two World Trade Center design
Denmark's Bjarke Ingels Group has unveiled preliminary plans and renders for Manhattan's Two World Trade Center
Denmark's Bjarke Ingels Group has unveiled preliminary plans and renders for Manhattan's Two World Trade Center
View 20 Images
Denmark's Bjarke Ingels Group has unveiled preliminary plans and renders for Manhattan's Two World Trade Center
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Denmark's Bjarke Ingels Group has unveiled preliminary plans and renders for Manhattan's Two World Trade Center
As you might expect from a firm with BIG's pedigree, the new tower is a real eye-catcher
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As you might expect from a firm with BIG's pedigree, the new tower is a real eye-catcher
BIG's appointment was met with raised eyebrows, as Foster + Partners was originally given the nod for the project
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BIG's appointment was met with raised eyebrows, as Foster + Partners was originally given the nod for the project
This new design will make use of the existing Foster + Partner-designed foundations
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This new design will make use of the existing Foster + Partner-designed foundations
Its novel stacking form will create 3,530 sq m (38,000 sq ft) of outdoor terraces
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Its novel stacking form will create 3,530 sq m (38,000 sq ft) of outdoor terraces
The tower comprises seven separate cuboid volumes
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The tower comprises seven separate cuboid volumes
The new building will also include open workspaces, informal meeting spaces, and leisure areas such as basketball courts, a running track, and a cafeteria
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The new building will also include open workspaces, informal meeting spaces, and leisure areas such as basketball courts, a running track, and a cafeteria
Render of the new skyscraper
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Render of the new skyscraper
The 80-plus story building will comprise a total floorspace of 260,000 sq m (2,798,616 sq ft)
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The 80-plus story building will comprise a total floorspace of 260,000 sq m (2,798,616 sq ft)
We've no word from BIG on an estimated date of completion, but Wired reports that it is aimed for completion on September 11, 2021
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We've no word from BIG on an estimated date of completion, but Wired reports that it is aimed for completion on September 11, 2021
Denmark's Bjarke Ingels Group has unveiled preliminary plans and renders for Manhattan's Two World Trade Center
11/20
Denmark's Bjarke Ingels Group has unveiled preliminary plans and renders for Manhattan's Two World Trade Center
21st Century Fox and News Corp will use the bottom half of the skyscraper as its headquarters
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21st Century Fox and News Corp will use the bottom half of the skyscraper as its headquarters
The design of the interior office spaces features a focus on sharing and openness
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The design of the interior office spaces features a focus on sharing and openness
This new design will make use of the existing Foster + Partner-designed foundations
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This new design will make use of the existing Foster + Partner-designed foundations
Its novel stacking form will create 3,530 sq m (38,000 sq ft) of outdoor terraces
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Its novel stacking form will create 3,530 sq m (38,000 sq ft) of outdoor terraces
The building is aligned to match the Wedge of Light plaza in order to preserve existing views to St. Paul’s Chape
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The building is aligned to match the Wedge of Light plaza in order to preserve existing views to St. Paul’s Chape
As you might expect from a firm with BIG's pedigree, it's a real eye-catcher
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As you might expect from a firm with BIG's pedigree, it's a real eye-catcher
BIG's appointment was met with raised eyebrows
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BIG's appointment was met with raised eyebrows
Render of the interior of the new skyscraper
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Render of the interior of the new skyscraper
Render of the interior of the new skyscraper
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Render of the interior of the new skyscraper
View gallery - 20 images

Denmark's Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) has unveiled preliminary plans and some renders for Manhattan's Two World Trade Center, the fourth and final skyscraper slated for the World Trade Center site. As you might expect from a firm with BIG's pedigree, it's a real eye-catcher, and once complete, may well prove the most striking building in the immediate area.

Though rumored for some time, BIG's appointment was met with raised eyebrows, as Foster + Partners was originally given the nod for the project. The firm had even gone as far as to lay foundations, but as Wired reports, James Murdoch, who is set to take the reins of 21st Century Fox from his father, supposedly didn't like the design. As 21st Century Fox and News Corp will lease the entire bottom half of the skyscraper as its headquarters, Murdoch's opinion appears to have carried the day (the other half will be managed by real estate firm Silverstein Properties, which will lease units to commercial tenants).

BIG's tower will make use of the existing Foster + Partners foundations and feature seven separate volumes stacked atop each other. Reminiscent of children's toy blocks placed carelessly atop each other, the volumes "lean" toward the direction of the One World Trade Center. The building is also aligned so as to not spoil existing views to St. Paul’s Chapel.

Its novel stacking form will create 3,530 sq m (38,000 sq ft) of outdoor terraces
Its novel stacking form will create 3,530 sq m (38,000 sq ft) of outdoor terraces

The 80-plus story building will rise to a total height of 408 m (1,340 ft) and comprise 260,000 sq m (2,798,616 sq ft) of usable floorspace. Its novel stacking volumes will create 3,530 sq m (38,000 sq ft) of outdoor terrace space that will boast greenery and choice views of Manhattan. The interior of the building will feature a focus on large open collaborative spaces that encourage inter-office sharing, and include television studios, informal meeting areas, restaurants, and leisure areas, such as basketball courts and a running track.

We've no word from BIG on an estimated date of completion, but Wired reports that it is slated for September 11, 2021. You can check out the video below to see Bjarke Ingels discuss the design.

Source: BIG

2 World Trade Center in New York City, a BIG design, Squint/Opera production

View gallery - 20 images
7 comments
7 comments
Derek Howe
Not sure I like the upside down scrolling message board thing...but the building itself looks awesome.
CharlieSeattle
Sorry, but that is one fugly design.
socalboomer
Agree exactly with Derek!
Poppynewf
I would nickname this building "The Stairway to Heaven" (add your own symbolism) kind of like a proposed building in Chicago that looked like a twisted spire that was officially named the "Chicago Spire" but was better known as "The Twizzler Tower" after the candy.
GizEngineer
Lots of buzzwords to excuse an ugly design that the neighbors will have to look at!
dsiple
I agree with Derek. I like it better than 1 WTC
Mark Salamon
I'm just grateful that monstrosity isn't being built anywhere near my home.