Henry Melcher reports on a humorous response to the new renderings revealed for the future 2 WTC tower (also the future home of 21st Century Fox and News Corp), designed by Bjarke Ingels Group.
As the obviously biggest news story of the week from the world of architecture and design, the renderings of the new design for 2 WTC attracted a lot of attention, including that of a Change.org petitioner by the name of Caragh Poh, who sees the design as a potential "staircase for monsters." The petition, which as of this writing had been signed by 33 supporters, asks Bjarke Ingels the following: "Please do not make buildings that only make it easier for King Kong to climb."
Henry Melcher, who interviewed Ingels earlier in the week, says The Architect's Newspaper "failed" to ask the architect about the King Kong-friendly format of the skyscraper.
Melcher also notes that Bjarke Ingels dressed as King Kong for Halloween back in 2011, so maybe, just maybe (OK, probably not) providing a comfortable place for King Kong to frolic was Ingels's plan all along.
FULL STORY: BJARKE INGELS MUM ON WHETHER TWO WORLD TRADE IS A STAIRCASE FOR KING KONG
Revealed: Designs for Final World Trade Center Tower
2 WTC was designed by Bjarke Ingels Group and already has a tentative lease agreement with Rupert Murdoch’s media companies, 21st Century Fox and News Corp.
20 Years After 9/11: The 'Age of Skyscrapers' Is Nowhere Near Over
Despite predictions that the events of September 11, 2001 would be the end of skyscrapers, U.S. cities are building more tall buildings than ever.
World Trade Center Rebuild Almost Complete With Approval of 900-Foot Mixed-Use Tower
Plans have been approved for the development of 5 World Trade Center, in place of a building damaged on September 11 and eventually torn down.
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.
The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.
Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena is uniting to restore Loma Alta Park, creating a renewed space for recreation, community gathering, and resilience.
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research