December 24, 2003—New York Governor George E. Pataki and NYC Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg revealed on December 19 the design of the Freedom Tower in a presentation by architects David M. Childs, who designed the tower, and Daniel Libeskind, who proposed the idea of the world’s tallest tower in his plan for the WTC site, Memory Foundations. The tower will rise on the World Trade Center site and soar 1,776 feet in the sky, becoming the world’s tallest building. The design includes wind turbines to provide partial power for the building, and exceptional safety features.
The unique geometrical torque of the building’s tower, located on the northwest corner of the site, gives the tower its asymmetrical form meant to evoke the Statue of Liberty. Its soaring offset spire echoes the profile of the Statue of Liberty’s arm holding the Torch of Freedom, and the top of the spire, reaching to 1,776 feet, is symbolic of America’s freedom and the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The design of the Freedom Tower proposes an innovative mix of architecture, structure, and mechanical systems. The building will contain 2,600,000 square feet of office space on approximately 60 stories—clad in shimmering glass and affording spectacular views. The base will contain both public lobbies and lobbies for the office building. Two concourse levels will house retail components and connect to transit hubs. At the top, the building will house both roof top restaurants and a public observation deck. In essence, the Freedom Tower will contain the same programmatic elements that existed in the original Trade Center.
Above the occupied spaces, a lacy structure of tension cables that brace the building—similar to those found in the Brooklyn Bridge—will continue, rising up to 1,500 feet. The cables will provide opportunities to highlight the design with inspirational lighting. Within the structure, wind-harvesting turbines are proposed to provide 20% of the building’s energy.
On top of the truss at 1,500 feet, the spire will rise another 276 feet to 1,776. As the building develops, it is intended that an artist will collaborate to design the spire with the architects and the engineers, placing a sculpture in the sky.
The building will incorporate state-of-the-art life safety systems that are the hallmark of advanced engineering, and will far exceed the requirements of the New York City Building Code. In addition to structural redundancy and extra strong fireproofing, the building will include biological and chemical filters in the air supply system. Concrete-encased stair and elevator cores, extra-wide pressurized stairs, low-level emergency lighting, and concrete protection for all sprinklers and emergency risers will be provided in addition to interconnected redundant exits, additional stair exit locations at the street, and direct exit to the street from tower stairs.
Groundbreaking for the Freedom Tower is expected in mid-2004. For further information as well as photos of the design, visit the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation Web site.
