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Another twist in the WTC redesign: The redesigned WTC will get the 1,776 spire, but, as the Post and Times report, now Larry Silverstein's architect, David Childs, is the "design architect and project manager" and selected WTC redesign plan architect Daniel Libeskind will have a more limited role as "collaborating architect during the concept and schematic design phases." David Childs had been working with developer Silverstein, and is a partner at Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill; the Daily News says that Childs distanced himself from Skidmore's entry for the WTC redesign.
Much of the negotiating was needed in order to get construction of the "Freedom Tower" (the worst name possible thinks Gothamist) started by summer of next year, a mandate from Governor Pataki. Greg.org pointed out yesterday that Governor Pataki's demand coincides with the Republican National Committee convention in NY next year.
Also, Daniel Libeskind is finally a licensed architect in New York.
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does anyone get a sinking feeling about all of this? i'm positive that the final product is going to look like a cross between battery park city and the current penn station. the horror. the horror.
mediocrity by committee, here we come. *sigh*
I definately have some issues with this.....what exactly was the point of having the overblown design competition if we were just going to go with what Silverstein wanted in the end? The LMDC figured they had a big budget so they might as well blow it all?
This is disgusting. Ugh.
That picture of Childs makes him look like he commutes to work in a time machine.
Oh boy. Bland office par, here we come.
Feh. So much for the opportunity to make some grand statement. Instead, the important criteria are going to be the amount of available Class A office space and getting construction started during the GOP convention.
If New Yorkers were upset before when the first developer-driven schemes were unveiled, I would hope that would care enough to fill the streets upon news of this tragedy. Here was an opportunity for New Yorkers to reclaim its city from the brutal blahs of corporate dreck, but now Silverstein has shown that profit is more important to him than putting faith in what was an unprecedently democratic voice of the people. I hope that public apathy won't convince Silverstein that his choice of WTC design is the only choice that is important. As an architect, I know that Libeskind is more than qualified to lead this project and he should be allowed to.
Just goes to show what happens when you have jackasses in the bullpen. I have a new patent for a concrete reinforcement technology that I showed to Jack Klein (Larry Silverstein's construction manager). I even drove from Louisiana to 520 5th street in Manhattan to go over the application personally with Jack after 2 months of his dragging his ass during phone conversations with him. Then of course they were talking back in March of 2003 of 2010 being a completed time frame for all. I went ahead and came up with a new methodology which would enable them to place 50,000 square feet a day of finished deck in each floor of the skyscrapers to go up. Basically my technology out performs truss based flooring, and the hollow corp concrete planking. It is fire resistant, explosive blast resistant, costs less, is quick to install. Of course there was Monica Gabrielle, or whatever their names are for Skyscraper safety.org. I sent pictures of my technology, copies of patents. Seems like everyone (including Larry) wants to sit on their hands with thumbs straight up. Daniel Libeskind? What a swishy butt little knob job. I emailed his studios several times in Germany. Even talked to the origional engineering firm in Houston that was looking into the designs. Hey New York, I ain't Mick Dundee, but down here in Louisiana I have skinned quite a few aligators in my time. You want the WTC done by 2009 in its entirety? Get ahold of me. Tell Gov. Putaki to Get ahold of Mike Foster down here, he may vaugely remember who I am (His secretary of Transportation don't care for me much, but I could give a rats arse). I have my bonifides. Wmsmith64@yahoo.com
Libeskind's style is *DEAD ARCHITECTURE*....It is basically the same angular shapes and edges dropped into every project he undertakes. It is STATIC and does not have anything to do with it's surroundings.
Thank God Silverstein was smart and strong enough to bring in David Childs.
Unbelieveable! Another's quote "mediocrity by committee" pretty much sums it all up for me.
Another example of the thick, blunt edge of uncaring old white money dousing the flames of expression, and purity.
"A hallowed ground where money can still be made, and placed above all other concerns"
I like the new Freedom Tower design but the spire is facing the wrong direction! It should look as though it is facing the same direction as the Statue of Liberty.