NEW YORK (voa) – Seven teams of architects from around the world have unveiled new design proposals for the World Trade Center site in New York.
The designs from some of the most influential figures in contemporary architecture aim to reclaim the city’s skyline and honor the memory of those who died during last year’s September 11 terrorist attacks.
Several of the proposals call for a structure taller than the world’s highest existing building – the Petronas Towers in Malaysia – at 450 meters. The World Trade Center towers were the world’s tallest buildings when they were first constructed three decades ago.
The seven designs cover a wide variety of styles, featuring floating memorials, sunken gardens and promenades. Some propose a single tower to replace the World Trade Center, while other designs call for five buildings or more on the site. All the designs reserve space for a permanent memorial to the victims of the twin towers’ collapse.
New York officials hope the rival designs will meet with greater approval than six designs released earlier this year, which were criticized as dull and uninspiring.
They say they will consult with the families of the victims of the attack before choosing the winning design in six weeks.
