A Future Sense of NY Style?

Despite running the risk of severe critique by a certain tar-heel ex-pat, who may often convince even the natives of his legitimacy, I must weigh-in on the finalists for WTC, part II. The readers are kindly referred to today's piece in the NY Times (on-line) by HERBERT MUSCHAMP entitled, "Balancing Reason and Emotion in Twin Towers Void".

The THINK team concept sucks. A huge erector set mockup of the shell of the towers surrounding enclosed "floating" buildings is Disney-esque, and does not properly memorialize the lives lost in those buildings. It serves as a superficial, god-awful, and persistent reminder of what once was - what Manhattan once had, but alas no longer. A persistent reminder to the widowed and orphaned. Move on, I say! Build a bigger, better, and more beautiful penis! Remember, if you go and buy that modern, metal-framed, industrial-looking TV armoire at some trendy urban-style store, chances are you'll be looking at it for a long time! In other words, there's a reason traditional styles in both architecture and furniture last as long as they do - they don't grow tired on the old eyes.

Now I must admit that in retrospect (no pun intended), I originally liked the Petersen art-deco concept. This design is also assailed by Mr. Muschamp. In this case he is probably right - we need to move on. However, I think you could find a clear majority of yankees, no excuse me - Americans, who agree that the two most beautiful buildings in Manhattan are two art-deco skyscrapers, not the former international-style towers.

Personally, I prefer Studio Libeskind - one of my original choices. It's tall as hell, modern, with a proper memorial. However, reports are it lacks adequate office space and will have to be modified to satisfy the property owner. In summary, and as a prediction - keeping in mind New York's brashness and general tack - THINK wins.