Bigger is better?

[Nagged]

You disgusting animals! This isn't about dick size!

Twisting skyscraper to replace twin towers

Seriously folks, I think people who build monstrosities like this should have their head examined.

Every terrorist in the world will see an inviting target looming on the horizon, plus let's not forget those unexpected disasters that keep the undertakers busy...

Or is it just a ploy to get more tourist dollars?

[Andocrates]

I don't think 9/11 will ever be repeated. So many things came together by chance - missed and unacted upon intellegence. Airline corporations asleep at the wheel. A terrorist organization acting without inpunity and funded by Arab nations shocked at the brutality of 9/11 (thus ending much of the state sponsered funding, and I'm sure Saddam funded terrorists)

The kick ass now take names later approach of Bush - like him or hate him - really made the Arab nations take notice.

[Nagged]

Thanks. I agree things would have to be lot harder now but not necessarily impossible for people who are comitted. Anyway, fingers crossed...people can only do much to counter terrorism, there will always be gaps in the system.

I am always concerned about the danger of a big fire in these buildings, but I suppose with a good sprinkler system that this risk might be reduced...?

[Taro Toporific]

You disgusting animals! This isn't about dick size!

Mo' big -- Mo' betta!

http://www.rp-networkservices.com/tvforum/uploads/ft3.jpg
http://www.rp-networkservices.com/tvforum/uploads/ft4.jpg

[Caustic Saint]

Sorry, but this doesn't count. Slapping an extra 676 feet of crap on top of a building doesn't get you the coveted height record. Tallest "structure" maybe, but not "building."

60 occupied floors doesn't mean anything. Roof height is what gets you the title. If you check out the rankings over at Skyscraperpage, you'll see that "Freedom Tower" will only rank about 7th or 8th. Antennas and spires don't count. If they did, the Sears Tower would still be the world's tallest. As it is, the Taipei 101 has (or will have) a roof height of 448 meters.

Sorry, New York, you lose.

[Robato]

Sorry, but this doesn't count. Slapping an extra 676 feet of crap on top of a building doesn't get you the coveted height record. Tallest "structure" maybe, but not "building."

not to flame, but lets analyze for a second.

The plan and model of the building, unveiled at a public ceremony on Wall Street, calls for 60 occupied stories, including 2.6 million square feet (241,500.000 sq metres) of office space, rooftop restaurants, and the viewing floor up to a height of 1,100 feet (335 metres).

which is the 60 floors you are talking about

The space above reaching to 1,500 feet (457 metres) will contain a lacy structure of tension cables similar to those on the Brooklyn Bridge and wind-harvesting turbines to provide 20 percent of the building's energy, the architects said.

which has a function to the structure (and building's energy supply)...which I would hardly call "crap".

A spire, symbolic of the Statue of Liberty's arm holding up a flaming torch, will rise a further 276 feet (84 metres) to 1,776 feet -- the height architect and site master planner Daniel Libeskind chose to represent the date of U.S. independence when he released his initial plan a year ago.

If its anything like the statue of liberty's arm, it means people will be able to take an elevator or stair case up to look out of it. (which would make it the highest room in a building.)

I wouldnt say they lose until we get to see the blueprints.

I agree it is a silly "look at the size of my penis" thing anyway....how functional is having the tallest building in the world? I say they should re-invest in the thousands of run down building and areas of new york instead.

Its nice to have a tall building in your city, but its also nice not to have condemned buildings and cracktowns too.

[Caustic Saint]

Sorry, but this doesn't count. Slapping an extra 676 feet of crap on top of a building doesn't get you the coveted height record. Tallest "structure" maybe, but not "building."

not to flame, but lets analyze for a second.

The plan and model of the building, unveiled at a public ceremony on Wall Street, calls for 60 occupied stories, including 2.6 million square feet (241,500.000 sq metres) of office space, rooftop restaurants, and the viewing floor up to a height of 1,100 feet (335 metres).

which is the 60 floors you are talking about

The space above reaching to 1,500 feet (457 metres) will contain a lacy structure of tension cables similar to those on the Brooklyn Bridge and wind-harvesting turbines to provide 20 percent of the building's energy, the architects said.

I never said the higher parts were non-functional, but they're not habitable. Everything above 1100 feet may be part of the building, but only in the sense that the antennae on top of the Sears Tower are part of it. Looking at the links Taro posted, I'd say the spire is going to be merely symbolic, and that you will not be able to go up in it as you can with the Statue of Liberty's torch.

Look at this picture too. You can clearly see where the top of the "building" ends (the angled roof). The rest of it, while serving a purpose, is there just to try and get a height record. The traditional rankings count spires, but not antennae. The current method of ranking heights is to use the roof height, and not spires or antennae. Going by that, this building will not take the title from the Taipei 101.

[Robato]

Look at this picture too. You can clearly see where the top of the "building" ends (the angled roof). The rest of it, while serving a purpose, is there just to try and get a height record. The traditional rankings count spires, but not antennae. The current method of ranking heights is to use the roof height, and not spires or antennae. Going by that, this building will not take the title from the Taipei 101.

Ive never seen the picture....so I stand corrected with my assumptions. As well as I did not know what the criteria of counting the height was.

It is still ridiculous to do such a thing though....those funds could be used for much better things to improve the city. Its sad that they have to use so much money just to build a big middle finger pointing up in the middle of the city.

[Nagged]

Wow, great sites you guys found of the drawings...gives a very good sense of scale.

[kamenr]

It is still ridiculous to do such a thing though....those funds could be used for much better things to improve the city. Its sad that they have to use so much money just to build a big middle finger pointing up in the middle of the city.

I agree.

My own proposal would be to fill the WTC holes with water as a memorial. It's pretty appalling that those fuckheads would just go ahead and rebuild on that spot. WTC should never have been built in the first place.

The design chosen is some of them most butt-ugly dreck architecture I have seen in recent years. If anything, they should have chosen the Gaidi revival proposal.

[Andocrates]

It is still ridiculous to do such a thing though....those funds could be used for much better things to improve the city. Its sad that they have to use so much money just to build a big middle finger pointing up in the middle of the city.

Well the WTC made money for the owners, I'm sure the new building will make money as well. A brand new building in the heart of Manhatten with such high visibility - rents will be off the scale.

[hanasims]

Like it or not the trade towers are in a prime realestate area. What good is memorial that takes up all the space, without serving any other purpose? People die every day, if there was a memorial for every single person who has died there would be no room left for living. Remembrance are what headstone are for.

[Nagged]

Like it or not the trade towers are in a prime realestate area. What good is memorial that takes up all the space, without serving any other purpose? People die every day, if there was a memorial for every single person who has died there would be no room left for living. Remembrance are what headstone are for.

Forgive the short post, but that's a good point.

[GomiGirl]

I'm sorry but calling this the "Freedom Tower" is just lame.

The fact that it is emitting light must be a worry for motorists on the many bridges on lower manhattan.. how many accidents are going to be caused by flashes of reflected light blinding the motorists?

But the fact that it has wind generated power is a huge step forward.

I liked the old towers as they were simple. But then I also like the shiny Chrysler Building.

this new building is OK.. but they have tried too hard - I you know what I mean.

[etrepum]

(I actually live in lower manhattan.. just happen to be in Tokyo on vacation this month)

I want a giant matte black monolith. I definitely don't want to be blinded by two giant refracting-light-in-my-eyes towers if I step out on my balcony or look up on my way to work.

The freedom shit has gotta go. NYC is an international place of business, not some froofy political playplace. Just get another building up there already with a lot of offices, and don't make it look gay. The lobby can be a memorial or something.

[Big Booger]

I agree with GG.

Freedom Tower sounds as stupid as Freedom Fries.. It blows and smells of fake patriotic flapdoodle..

I like the design actually. I wonder if it will have some sort of missile defense or anti-aircraft battery?

[Nagged]

I want a giant matte black monolith.

Very well, one giant matte black monolith coming right up...would like you like that with or without freedom fries?

[etrepum]

holy bryce, batman!

Where's the fractal-mountain island and hovering sphere? :)

[kurohinge1]

I wonder if it will have some sort of missile defense or anti-aircraft battery?

Those refracting lights could double as searchlights.

I can imagine the employment sections of the New York papers in a year or so:

Wanted: Crew for Freedom Tower's AA battery. Must not be afraid of heights or shooting at passenger planes. Must own an Xbox, PS1/2 or Nintendo and have completed at least two first person shooter games at the hardest level. Come keep the worms away from the Big Apple.