On the 14th Anniversary of 9/11, a Look at the Evolving Architecture of the World Trade Center

On the 14th anniversary of 9/11, people around the globe will be taking a moment to look back, remembering the victims and their loved ones. Just as the lives of many were changed forever that day, the architectural landscape of New York was also irrevocably altered. The task of repairing and rebuilding the heart of Manhattan began over a decade ago, and the World Trade Center site now looks radically different from how it did that fateful September morning.

It was always going to be one of the most challenging design briefs in architectural history, so it is perhaps unsurprising that some of the biggest talents in the profession were tapped for this complex site. Over the last 14 years, Ground Zero has evolved through a series of interventions by many of the world’s most well-known architects, each attempting to create buildings which are respectful of the past — but also symbolize the bright future of New York City.

Here, we take a look at some of the key structures to have been completed and those that are on their way:

Complete: One World Trade Center by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill

Complete: 9/11 Memorial by Michael Arad of Handel Architects and Studio Libeskind

Complete: National September 11th Memorial Museum by Snøhetta

Complete: 4 World Trade Center by Maki and Associates and Adamson Associates Architects

Under construction: World Trade Center Transportation Hub by Santiago Calatrava

Under construction: 3 World Trade Center by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners

In development: 2 World Trade Center by Bjarke Ingels Group

Author: Paul Keskeys

Paul Keskeys is Editor in Chief at Architizer. An architect-trained editor, writer and content creator, Paul graduated from UCL and the University of Edinburgh, gaining an MArch in Architectural Design with distinction. Paul has spoken about the art of architecture and storytelling at many national industry events, including AIANY, NeoCon, KBIS, the Future NOW Symposium, the Young Architect Conference and NYCxDesign. As well as hundreds of editorial publications on Architizer, Paul has also had features published in Architectural Digest, PIN—UP Magazine, Archinect, Aesthetica Magazine and PUBLIC Journal.