2001	The 6th Designers 3D CAD Challenge with Architectural CADD Systems 2001 Challenge of the Architectural CADD Cup

The 2001 Design Project :

World Trade Center II - A New Hope

WTC II - A New Hope

There has been a lot of discussion in the architectural design community about the World Trade Center towers. All expressing sympathy and condolences for the victims of the disaster but also discussing the architecture of the building, ranging from how its structural design and lack of asbestos may have helped save countless lives, to the inspiring symbolism it gave the entire nation, as well as thereby opening itself up as a "target". For its entire 29 year existence, and indeed for many years before that, the design of the Trade Center has been controversial, from logistics like energy use and traffic due to its density, to the pristine modernism of its aesthetic design by Minoru Yamasaki.

The question now before not only New York, but the World, is what happens to that staggeringly important 16 acres in downtown Manhattan. Does it become a memorial park, as was the case of the Oklahoma City building ? ... or is a string of memorial parks all across the USA exactly what the misguided terrorists would love to see happen ?

Many have called for the reconstruction of a duplicate of the twin towers exactly the way they were. Others feel that the new millennium calls for something entirely different but yet symbolic of the new millennium, with something that also pays tribute to those who lost their lives there. Certainly there are different criteria, needs, and technology different from almost a half-century ago when the original World Trade Center buildings were conceived.

In the world of virtual reality possible with architectural CADD software, it is now possible to quickly explore these many potential design options, in a way not just architects but everyone can visualize, by photographically superimposing them on the existing site to see what designs are appropriate, truly inspire, and give hope to a new generation.

Whether the design proposed really is a memorial park, or a tower bigger than the first, or anything in-between, or even just a tribute to the twin towers as they were, the virtual reality possibility of architectural CADD gives us the means to visualize these various design ideas.

As the premiere world wide competition in architectural CADD, the Designers 3D CAD Challenge for Architectural CADD Systems, gives us a vehicle to explore these designs on a schematic level very quickly, giving aid not only to the architectural profession and software developers as it has done in the past, but, in this case, a way for our profession to provide a service to the community, and the world, by providing a new hope and inspiration for the future.

Thus as an alternative to the design project currently underway for the international competition, where preliminary samples of designs are to be submitted by October 31, and final designs in schematic form presented November 14 at the Boston World Trade Center Amphitheater, designers are free to submit their designs for what they believe should be constructed on the 16 acres of Manhattan formerly the World Trade Center.

Location :

16 acre World Trade Center Plaza - New York City

Requirements for what is to be submitted :

Plans, sections, elevations, perspectives, renderings, walk-through animations, virtual reality files, and screen movie captures of how you did the design, as described on the required drawings page.

On October 31, please submit at least 6 perspectives of your proposed submission. These will be used to determine who, and in what order, will present their designs to the public in the WTC Boston Amphitheater on November 14th.

Notes :

1. Memorial - Presumably, ANY design will incorporate some sort of memorial to the victims of the disaster and perhaps a tribute to not only the heros but also to the building by Minoru Yamasaki. At least some of the required perspectives should be of such elements in the design. The State of Minnesota has already contributed a statue of a fireman, which is already on the site.

2. You are free to design whatever you believe is appropriate for the site. The property holder truly does desire that design ideas be submitted. Keep in mind that this 16 acres is one of the most valuable pieces real estate on the planet. Any design - whether a huge single building taller than the Petronas Towers, a twin or tri-tower approach, an exact duplicate of the previous design, a flat green meadow, or anything in-between - may be submitted.

3. Resource / Energy Conscious Design - Global resources, needs, and technology has changed dramatically since the previous building was built. This web site will provide links to new resources that designers can and should employ, such as the new see-throughable photovoltaic architectural glass - which if employed on a building the size of the previous twin towers would mean that the building could provide electric power not only enough for itself but for the surrounding community. Thus, Architects for Social Responsibility and "Green Architecture" may seriously consider submitting their proposals.

4. Drawings / Site Models of Surrounding Site - the designers themselves are responsible for aquiring whatever existing maps, photos, they need and creating 3D site models of enough of the immediate vicinity to visualize their designs in context. On this web site, we will post, for everyone, all existing plans, photos, and even models of the project site over the next few weeks.

5. The Previous Project - announced earlier this summer, now pre-empted by the world events this september, has been tentatively moved to next years Design Shootout. It is a good and fun project with actual real construction development possibilities. Those designers who may have started work on it are encouraged to call us. The potential Wizards and Witches Cafe project is now posted on the 2002 Design Shootout site.

If you intend to do this project please use the Registration Form here. Please also see the section on Screencam Movies.

Now you have more time and more design freedom -- No excuses

Charrette first images due October 31

Presentations November 14

2001	The 6th Designers 3D CAD Challenge with Architectural CADD Systems 2001 Challenge of the Architectural CADD Cup