# WTC design finalist - what is that object?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-design-finalist-what-is-that-object/152761
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [February 4, 2003, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-design-finalist-what-is-that-object/152761 "2003-02-04T19:23:55Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)
#### Post date: [February 4, 2003, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-design-finalist-what-is-that-object/152761/1 "2003-02-04T19:23:55Z")
If you look at one of the two finalists for the redesign of the WTC [here](http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?g=events/ts/121802wtcplans&tmpl=sl&e=1), you’ll see a large paper object suspended above the ground across both towers. I can’t seem to find any more info about that particular design that tells me what that object is. Can someone enlighten me?
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### Author:  [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)
#### Post date: [February 4, 2003, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-design-finalist-what-is-that-object/152761/2 "2003-02-04T19:30:58Z")
Looks like… a jet plane? That would be kinda creepy…
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### Author:  [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)
#### Post date: [February 4, 2003, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-design-finalist-what-is-that-object/152761/3 "2003-02-04T19:36:27Z")
I thought it was, well, a big ribbon.
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### Author:  [@XJETGIRLX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XJETGIRLX)
#### Post date: [February 4, 2003, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-design-finalist-what-is-that-object/152761/4 "2003-02-04T19:44:08Z")
I read in an article somewhere when the designs were published that it was part of the structure – an art gallery, I believe.
A very poorly designed space, no doubt.
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### Author:  [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)
#### Post date: [February 4, 2003, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-design-finalist-what-is-that-object/152761/5 "2003-02-04T19:45:37Z")
It is some modernistic connection between the two structures. Probably used as a walkway with restaurants, shops, etc. There appear to be other objects inside each tower. The topmost are likely observatories, but I have no idea what the ones are below the object mentioned in the OP. Maybe, we have to wait until and if it is built. 🙂
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### Author:  [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)
#### Post date: [February 4, 2003, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-design-finalist-what-is-that-object/152761/6 "2003-02-04T19:53:21Z")
I hope it’s a banner that reads, “Just Kidding! Here’s a picture of our _actual_ submission…”
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### Author:  [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)
#### Post date: [February 4, 2003, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-design-finalist-what-is-that-object/152761/7 "2003-02-04T20:24:51Z")
Some sort of footbridge connecting the two? The description gives zero detail:
[http://www.renewnyc.com/plan\_des\_dev/wtc\_site/new\_design\_plans/firm\_e/default.asp](http://www.renewnyc.com/plan_des_dev/wtc_site/new_design_plans/firm_e/default.asp)
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### Author:  [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)
#### Post date: [February 4, 2003, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-design-finalist-what-is-that-object/152761/8 "2003-02-04T20:26:01Z")
Jesus, what horrible, crappy, vile designs. In my heart of hearts, I was hoping they’d come to their senses and use the [Gaudi](http://www.modbee.com/24hour/nation/story/729592p-5328847c.html) design, after all . . .
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### Author:  [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)
#### Post date: [February 4, 2003, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-design-finalist-what-is-that-object/152761/9 "2003-02-04T20:29:00Z")
Here you go: it’s a museum.
[http://www.renewnyc.com/plan\_des\_dev/wtc\_site/new\_design\_plans/firm\_e/slides/slide41.asp](http://www.renewnyc.com/plan_des_dev/wtc_site/new_design_plans/firm_e/slides/slide41.asp)
The two towers are actually bridged at 3 points.
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### Author:  [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)
#### Post date: [February 4, 2003, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-design-finalist-what-is-that-object/152761/10 "2003-02-04T20:31:44Z")
It’s a viewing platform, too.
[http://www.renewnyc.com/plan\_des\_dev/wtc\_site/new\_design\_plans/firm\_e/slides/slide47.asp](http://www.renewnyc.com/plan_des_dev/wtc_site/new_design_plans/firm_e/slides/slide47.asp)
Basically, you have these big, empty tinkertoy structures that have a few “modules” nestled among them at various points.
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### Author:  [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)
#### Post date: [February 4, 2003, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-design-finalist-what-is-that-object/152761/11 "2003-02-04T20:38:04Z")
From the architects’ press kit:
> [@](#):
>
> As the Horizontal Grid [footprint] reaches the center of the site, the streets, (the life-line of the city), merge into an open elevatoring system which feeds the access to the Vertical Grid [skyline].This Grid is primarily what the natural ground is for the Horizontal Grid: a structural support system. Two open lattice structures [towers] provide support for ?building sites ? that can be developed in independent phases…A matrix of spiraling members allow[s] for the supports of those buildings that will contain the spaces for a new cultural program.This program should be defined as the institutional structure of this World Cultural Center is developed.The public elevators in these structures are to be thought of as places for observation also,in the same way in which the ?vaporettos ? connect cultural buildings in Venice.
>
> The extremes of the two structures are the places where the Memorial sequence occurs-from the scars of the footprints to the sky platforms of meditation.The system provides access to 8.5 million visitors a year. Other functions: the Interpretive Museum of 9/11 [the big weird bridge thingy], a Conference Center, public spaces for Art and Science, Public Terraces, open restaurants and cafes, the Center for Studies in Cultural Diversity, and a two-theater Performing Arts Center are incorporated within the intermediate segments of the structure designed by a host of different architects from all over the world.
The press kit is available as a PDF file [here](http://www.rvapc.com/contact/).
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### Author:  [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)
#### Post date: [February 4, 2003, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-design-finalist-what-is-that-object/152761/12 "2003-02-04T21:05:01Z")
This is interesting, from the next slide:
> [@](#):
>
> Studio Daniel Libeskind’s design which features a stiletto-like 1, 776-foot spire which would be the tallest structure in the world.
Um, no, it wouldn’t. I understand the numerical significance of 1776, but that would make it shorter than the CN Tower (1,815 feet.) I hope they realize that before they print the brochures.
So not only have they come up with ugly designs, but they’ve done so little research that they think they’re planning the world’s tallent structure when they’re going to end up 40 feet short. Jesus.
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### Author:  [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)
#### Post date: [February 4, 2003, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-design-finalist-what-is-that-object/152761/13 "2003-02-04T21:19:59Z")
Thanks for the answers, folks. I thought it was a big piece of tissue paper. I agree that both the finalists designs look terrible. Why build anything there? How about a park with a memorial?
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### Author:  [@Grither](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grither)
#### Post date: [February 4, 2003, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-design-finalist-what-is-that-object/152761/14 "2003-02-04T21:30:38Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by RickJay \*
> \*\*This is interesting, from the next slide:
> Um, no, it wouldn’t. I understand the numerical significance of 1776, but that would make it shorter than the CN Tower (1,815 feet.) I hope they realize that before they print the brochures.
>
> So not only have they come up with ugly designs, but they’ve done so little research that they think they’re planning the world’s tallent structure when they’re going to end up 40 feet short. Jesus. \*\*
The master [speaks](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/000929.html) re: the CN Tower. And, for the record, most “top 10 lists” of tall buildings tend to agree.
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### Author:  [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)
#### Post date: [February 4, 2003, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-design-finalist-what-is-that-object/152761/15 "2003-02-04T22:11:59Z")
He’s got a point. The blurb isn’t saying the tallest BUILDING, it’s saying the tallest STRUCTURE. The CN tower is debateably not a building (but let’s not have the debate again). However, you can’t argue that it’s not a structure, and a free-standing one at that.
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### Author:  [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)
#### Post date: [February 4, 2003, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-design-finalist-what-is-that-object/152761/16 "2003-02-04T22:30:45Z")
BTW, I mention free-standing because there is a TV tower in North Dakota that beats the CN tower, but has guy wires. There was a TV tower in Poland that beat it the one in North Dakota, but the thing fell over. And an Australian power company is planning to build a 3300 foot power generation tower in the outback, which will dwarf anything in all categories:
[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/2628361.stm](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/2628361.stm)
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### Author:  [@antechinus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antechinus)
#### Post date: [February 4, 2003, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-design-finalist-what-is-that-object/152761/17 "2003-02-04T22:51:46Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Eve \*
> \*\*Jesus, what horrible, crappy, vile designs. In my heart of hearts, I was hoping they’d come to their senses and use the [Gaudi](http://www.modbee.com/24hour/nation/story/729592p-5328847c.html) design, after all . . . \*\*
Sorry…opinion…cant resist… I agree **Eve**. The Gaudi is clearly the best design, but maybe 100 years on it is still to ahead of its time. The Sydney Opera House was nearly not built because it was too ‘out there’ - but no one would knock it now. Please pick the Gaudi for NY’s sake.
ok thats out of my system now.
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### Author:  [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)
#### Post date: [February 4, 2003, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-design-finalist-what-is-that-object/152761/18 "2003-02-04T23:39:02Z")
Better pic of the “ribbon” here
[http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?g=events/ts/121802wtcplans&a=&tmpl=sl&ns=&l=1&e=17&a=0&t=](http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?g=events/ts/121802wtcplans&a=&tmpl=sl&ns=&l=1&e=17&a=0&t=)
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### Author:  [@stockton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stockton)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2003, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-design-finalist-what-is-that-object/152761/19 "2003-02-05T01:17:45Z")
Another vote for the cool Gaudi design. **Eve** , you are a bastion of taste and insight. I salute you.
**astro** , thanks for the better view of that P.T. Barnumesque spectacle.
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### Author:  [@Michael\_Ellis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Ellis)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2003, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtc-design-finalist-what-is-that-object/152761/20 "2003-02-05T04:06:22Z")
Oh, I see, they chose the two worst designs. Way to go LMDC! Way to go!
Jerks.
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