In response to growing public demand and at the city’s request, four architects came together to design and implement a temporary viewing platform at the World Trade Center site in December 2001. David Rockwell, Rockwell Group; Kevin Kennon, Kevin Kennon Architect; and Elizabeth Diller and Ricardo Scofidio, Diller Scofidio + Renfro formed a joint collaboration to address the ongoing issue of how to handle the perimeter conditions surrounding the site. The goal was to provide thoughtful design solutions, which addressed the public's need to view ground zero and provide a dignified place for reflection without impinging on the recovery work. Recognizing the fluid conditions around the site, they developed a temporary structure.
The architects designed and constructed a viewing platform, located on Fulton Street between Church and Broadway, just south of St. PaulChurch. It was over 300’ long and made of humble materials: metal scaffolding, high-grade birch plywood and rough decking. The viewing platform was elevated to 13 feet above ground providing a 180-degree view of ground zero. Access to the platform was up a series of 15-foot wide ADA compliant ramps. The 30’ x 50’ platform was designed to easily accommodate 300-400 people while the entire structure could support over 1,000 people. The railing along the platform was sloped 12-inch wood plank. Viewers left the platform along a 15-foot wide gentle slope. Between the entrance ramp and the exit ramp was a 13’ high-grade birch plywood wall.
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