Doug Gordon
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It has been over seven years since the World Trade Center was destroyed and the building set to replace it is still not finished. The reason is the complexity of its design. One World Center is being designed as the world’s first blast-proof tower. The design, by architect David Childs of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, has taken several redesigns on its way to the final plans. It is a building that must not only serve as a financial hub for New York City, but as a spiritual one as well. The design is as safe as a building can be, but still manages to be beautiful and inspirational as well.  1 // The Height
Libeskind's initial master plan stipulated that the skyscraper reach a height of 1,776 feet. That historically symbolic number makes for an extremely tall building—and an unprofitable one, since no tenant would want to be up that high. (It's just too scary.) The solution? Cheat. Reach the prescribed height by stretching out a 450-foot extension.
Of course, a giant bundle of antennas standing more than 1,300 feet off the ground presents its own challenges. Namely, it can't sway more than half a degree, because that would compromise the constant energy levels needed for clear digital TV transmissions. To help keep the spire stable, the architects placed a ring a quarter of the way up the central steel mast. A system of Kevlar cables attached to the ring will anchor the antennas in place. Meanwhile, a shield made of glass-reinforced resin composite panels will protect the spire from the elements.
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