One World Trade Center Spire Change.
 

There probably have been many threads about this but I've created my own.
The thread is created to discuss the spire change.
1. This Thread is for the Spire, not construction.
2. The Base Of the building may also be discussed here.
3. Safeness of building may also be here.
No stealing others work.
No rudeness.

Enjoy.

By Spire change I assume you mean this:

http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune....-building.html

Troubles with 1 World Trade Center's spire: Will Willis Tower remain America's tallest building?

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For years now, architecture buffs have assumed that Willis Tower's days as America's tallest building were numbered. The 1 World Trade Center tower in New York was going to top it, surmounted by a spire that would rise to a symbolic height of 1,776 feet, evoking the year of the Declaration of Independence.

But now, as the Associated Press is reporting, new questions have arisen about 1 WTCs height, and they could be resolved in a way that lets the 1,4501-foot Willis Tower retain its title as the nation's tallest.

It turns out that 1 WTC's spire is actually a broadcast antenna that was supposed to be sheathed in a decorative cladding. This aesthetic feature would have made the antenna an integral part of the building's design--and thus, technically, a spire. Spires count in height measurements. Antennas don't.

But now, the AP says, the cladding has been shelved over maintenance issues. That puts the focus on the Chicago-based Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, which sets height measurement standards. The Council has issued a statement--I've put it on the jump--which says, in effect, "we'll have to wait and see."

One World Trade Center Statement from Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat

The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat has received many media queries about the ultimate height of One World Trade Center, which is currently planned as the tallest building in North America.

We are aware that changes have been announced to the design of the structure on top of One World Trade Center, which may affect the final height measurement for the building. We understand that sculptural cladding has been removed, which will change the structure.

One World Trade Center, which is still under construction, is currently listed in the CTBUH’s Skyscraper Center at an anticipated height to “architectural top” of 1,776 feet. This includes the structure described in the materials previously provided by the architect as a spire. A spire is typically a permanent structure and part of the architecture and artistic expression of the building.

The CTBUH includes spires in its height measurement to “architectural top,” the primary category in ranking the tallest buildings in the world. But antennas, masts, water towers and other functional-technical structures – which often are not designed by the architect of the building and change according to prevalent technologies – are not included in the height measurement to the architectural top. However, they are included in measurements to the architectural “tip,” a secondary category tracked by the CTBUH. Definitions can be found on the CTBUH website at www.CTBUH.org.

At this point, since the building is far from completion, there is no final determination on the height of One World Trade Center. A final determination will be made by the CTBUH Technical Height Committee based on analysis of the drawings and other information submitted by the building owner, development and consultant team. Building designs often change during construction and final ratification of the height and formal recognition on the list of 100 Tallest Completed Building in the World occur after the building is officially completed and application details submitted.

Over 40 years the CTBUH has developed detailed criteria for measuring the height of buildings, which are widely accepted in the industry. Any disputes are resolved by the CTBUH Height Committee - a panel of industry experts specifically set up for this purpose.

...................

Personally I always found the WTC top is both an antenna and a spire and therefore it counts to be kind of stretching it but then again I was never a big fan of the whole spire thing anyways, I always view rooftop height at the deciding factor. I just hope this is resolved impartially by the CTBUH and not let the emotion of 9/11 get in the way but without at least the "decorative cladding" of the antenna I don't see how the antenna alone could count in the height.

CTBUH sets their standard for heights, based on a standard that seems reasonable. But that doesn't mean they set the standard.

according to that article, the Sears tower is over 14000 feet tall, oops.

Honestly though, I would be shocked if Childs and the PA didn't try to come up with some solution.

1WTC may become the tallest in the country, but it'll always be a butt ugly embarrassment of a building.

^ Kinda gotta concur. For a project so heavily freighted with national symbolism, it's a bland, outdated design whose only real distinction is its height. Bad on Childs and bad on Pataki, et al. for delivering a building that in its caution to offend no one has nothing to say whatever.

I don't think the building is an embarrasment, but without the spire it sure doesn't look nearly as good.

But of course it's become pretty apparent that those in charge have constantly gone out of their way to botch the rebuilding. Whatever is best must not be done. Makes you want to punch someone, seriously.

No way this thread is going to last, but, as long as it's around, I want to go on record expressing my agreement. It's a shitty design, the flaws of which are made all the more apparent because of the overwhelming desire for it to 'mean something.' I'm embarrassed for New York.

Moved to correct forum.

Why couldn't they have just made the roof height 1,776ft? Calling a noticeably shorter building NA's new tallest just seems regressive and silly.

Because that means you would have to add more floors which is impossible.
1. The Foundations laid for this tower call for it to have 104 floors. Trying to reach 1,776 means you'd have to add atleast another 15 to 20 floors. That's dangerous, and over the course of time those extra top floors will collaspe. Modern Marvels did an episode about this, If i find the link, i'll post it.
Secondly, the Building tapers. The Triangles meet at the top of the 104- and parapet. Therefore there are no ways to add floors or height.

http://www.steel-grips.com/artman2/uploads/1/1wtc.JPG

Honestly, I create this thread to put an end of the converstation of the spire on the construction thread.
People are getting sick of seeing stuff about the spire.

He obviously meant in the early planning stages, and the building does not have 104 real floors either.

But it's silly to keep talking about how tall it could have been, we got what we got and it's ok, it would have been more ok with a spire and towers 2 and 3 (maybe someday) but still, it is what it is, midtowns developments are much more exciting.

There are ONLY 85 real floors !!!!

I've never understood how they can claim to have so many floors when it isn't true--this needs to be called out for what it is. What it is not is the country's tallest building in any way IMO; that honor will remain with the Willis/Sears Tower with its true number of floors and roof height.

If there's only 85 real floors, than what are the other 19?

And yes, I meant that if they wanted a 1,776ft building from the beginning, then why just go the comically huge spire route. Obviously there couldn't be such a huge alteration once the building is already under construction.

1WTC has 92 "real" floors.

I am going to quote what I said on the One World Trade Center thread to make this clear.

The building is a piece of crap, obviously. The original spire would be marginally better than the cheap antenna now to be built, but it matters little. Nothing can save this building from it essential vapidness. A real shame for New York, indeed.

Please elaborate. How is this building a "piece of crap"