World Trade Center Transportation Hub

[intheviewfinder]

Well what I believe to be the best piece of architecture at the World Trade Center reconstruction is about to open. I've been saying all along that this would be the heart of the WTC. Just look at this beauty...



Santiago Calatrava's World Trade Center Transportation Hub
(photo credit Curbed New York @CurbedNY & Amy Plitt @plitter)


Looks like a road trip very very soon. Now how can I capture it differently is the question.

 

[igzabeher]

Or the worst, depending on one's perspective.

Money spent to on a vapid entrance, to the still dirty and worn down A train, and just plain primitive, platforms below. "What was meant to cost $2.2 billion became a $4 billion undertaking, making the WTC hub the most expensive train station ever."

Milano Centrale is still more inspiring. Grand Central Terminal, and Gare du Nord more elegant. And the Estación de Atocha in Madrid my favorite.

I was disappointed to find that they removed the trees from the Atocha station, unless I completely missed them. Otherwise, I agree.

 

[intheviewfinder]

You sound like the cynics in Boston who complained about the Big Dig cost and inconvenience. Now they are just loving the beautiful 40 acre park though the city, the re-connection of the North End, and a tunnel that gets you to the airport easily.

The massive reconstruction under the station - now estimated to be $3.74 billion dollars - is most of the cost over run; which politicians have blamed on Calatrava's design. In fact because of the over runs and security concerns they made the architect change the design in many ways.

I like the fact it is in stark contrast to the mundane buildings surrounding the memorial. I see as if this white dove is taking off - a rising from the ashes if you will. In the future this will be the place that many, if not most, folks will arrive at in order to get to the Ground Zero Memorial. It is a positive image to take away from a solemn place. Not too many years from now I think you'll come to agree it is a wonderful design.