Ascent Concept | Walk Through

From the Libeskind “September 11 Place” the “Plaza” below with the gold inset North Tower footprint [5] and the Slurry Wall beyond can be clearly seen. The indoor “Plaza” provides a large, open, indoor gathering area for ceremonial activities in winter (no snow removal) or inclement weather. By extending the site boundary to the west with a glazed wall, the Slurry wall no longer needs to be encased behind glass and can be part of the “Plaza” space. An optional angular transition ramp or other refinements would allow access from “September 11 Place” to the Elevated Deck.

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Colonnade

A sheltered 13’ wide path permits unobstructed 360° pedestrian flow around the base of the building. There is sense of discovery walking around the gentle curve with no end. The inside wall is clad with limestone and has only one door (for the families area [3]). The limestone wall occasionally serves as exhibit space. 46 pairs of 5’-8”x 25’ tall blue glass doors open and sweep back 120° during nice weather softening and diffusing light. The bottom 4’ of the glass doors separate like a Dutch doors permanently providing a railing near the “Woods” and providing lockable access control to the “ Elevated Park ”.

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Elevated Park

An open grass lawn is the predominate feature of this area with seasonal flower beds behind a sitting wall near the perimeter. The elevated deck helps abate street noise while offering long vistas above the 8 lanes of traffic on West Street . Use of the space is limited to families [3] events, ceremonies and scheduled local resident use so that the grass is not worn out. The nontraditional circular footprint maximizes open space for daylight and achieves long views for the WTC Memorial, Cultural Centers , Museum and neighboring blocks.

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Corner

The “Corner” provides opportunity to stand at the bottom of the tallest feature and look up 2001’-9” to the top of the mast. The acute edge extends to the brick walk because the lower 10 floors indent the last glass panel letting the visitor feel the edge.

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Woods

Heavily wooded (not like the model) the waterfall feature is obscured from view. Starting down the ramp (5%-grade for handicapped access, not like model) a sense of discovery with Zen views is achieved. Along the path are 3’x3’ granite stones engraved with quotes and thoughts. Tucked off meandering path are numerous shaded tranquil spaces for listening to the waterfalls, sitting, meditation and quiet contemplation [2]. The path negotiates the 54’-8” (4 floors) elevation change from the Elevated Deck to the base of the waterfall (29’ below grade). The South Tower ’s gold inset footprint [5] can be seen. Two of the three paths leading to the “Rotunda” follow the gold inset footprint.

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Rotunda

The internal diameter and height are 142’-6” with a 27’-wide unglazed opening at crown (closeable with moving glazed panels). To provide complete segregation the employee entrance for the Humanitarian Organization workers is at street level above. The “Rotunda” and “Plaza” elevator waiting areas could be enclosed if deemed desirable. The start of the “Stairway” begins in the sector near the center entry from the waterfalls.

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Stairway

Climbing the stairs the first 4 levels look into the “Rotunda”. The next 5 levels have a striking skylight view looking up the inside curve of the building. From the start of the clear glass atriums the gold leaf dome of the “Rotunda” is clearly seen. All 121 stair landings are public handicapped accessible. Design teams commissioned from each time zone around the world design one of the 24 atriums. An optional (bypass behind wall) tranquil water feature will cascade refreshingly from atrium to atrium and would be part of the coordination design. Off each atrium a small theater presents multimedia content by filmmakers and other artists celebrating the 125 lives represented by each step in that sector. Visitors can walk completely around the sculpted mast at the top of the building with unrestricted views of New York Harbor . Dedicated express elevators serve the top. Fund raising events could be scheduled to climb the “Stairway”.

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