NEW YORK | World Trade Center Memorial & Transit Hub

[Troubadour]

Originally Posted by Traynor

I Googled "Mature White Oak" which I believe they are and got this image. So maybe you won't get conical-shaped trees for very long:


(Image found here: http://www.porkyfarm.com/whiteoak.asp )

I guess there are variations. The ones at the memorial are Swamp White Oaks, and this is what I found for that:

http://www.higginsoutdoors.com/image...wamp-white.jpg

So we at least know it's possible for them to retain conical shape.

[The Grand Architect]

You know, I would like this memorial better if the trees vary in size and shape. This would make it look like a real forest. The current renders on wtc.com have trees in all kinds of sizes, big, small, skinny and fat. I like what I'm seeing in those renderings than the actual photos itself, to be honest. It gives a little variety, plus it also makes the memorial look more "natural".

By natural, I meant that the memorial plaza looks more like it's been molded by nature, and not in the hands of construction workers.

Furthermore, it looks like Ground Zero is untouched by urbanization and the concrete jungle, like a mini-Central Park.

[Traynor]

I agree with this. I would have preferred a more nature-like surrounding, rather than the structured layout as designed.

I believe the inspiration may have been this park in Bordeaux, France.


(Image courtesy Soloman found here: http://individual.utoronto.ca/soloman/more8.html )

[The Grand Architect]

Originally Posted by Traynor

I agree with this. I would have preferred a more nature-like surrounding, rather than the structured layout as designed.

I believe the inspiration may have been this park in Bordeaux, France.


(Image courtesy Soloman found here: http://individual.utoronto.ca/soloman/more8.html )

Exactly. A more random layout and dispersal of the trees will accomplish this idea and design. It makes the memorial look like it came fresh from the forest. A few clumps of trees here, a random layout of trees here, and empty space here- it would look like an actual forest.

[uaarkson]

Keep in mind that the memorial will change greatly as those trees mature.

[Rizzo]

Originally Posted by The Grand Architect

You know, I would like this memorial better if the trees vary in size and shape. This would make it look like a real forest. The current renders on wtc.com have trees in all kinds of sizes, big, small, skinny and fat. I like what I'm seeing in those renderings than the actual photos itself, to be honest. It gives a little variety, plus it also makes the memorial look more "natural".

By natural, I meant that the memorial plaza looks more like it's been molded by nature, and not in the hands of construction workers.

Furthermore, it looks like Ground Zero is untouched by urbanization and the concrete jungle, like a mini-Central Park.

I think (and I at least hope) it will get that forest vibe eventually. I really want that tree canopy to get thick and cover everything so that the voids of the fountains really stand out. But on the ground you'd get that great sense of enclosure...which will come with time.

[The Grand Architect]

Originally Posted by Hayward

I think (and I at least hope) it will get that forest vibe eventually. I really want that tree canopy to get thick and cover everything so that the voids of the fountains really stand out. But on the ground you'd get that great sense of enclosure...which will come with time.

Same here. It will surely create a serene atmosphere, and at the same time, provide an escape from the hustle-and-bustle of the city.

[Traynor]

As others have said: The cladding for the air vents pales in comparison to the museum, which looks much better from the exact same camera. So their opinion is validated with empirical evidence.

[urbanlife]

Originally Posted by Hayward

I think (and I at least hope) it will get that forest vibe eventually. I really want that tree canopy to get thick and cover everything so that the voids of the fountains really stand out. But on the ground you'd get that great sense of enclosure...which will come with time.

Well NYC does have its fair collection of tree canopy parks to use as examples.

[Traynor]

Today they are testing the North Pool by running it and throwing tons of coloured paper in the water.

Perhaps they read these sites and finally realized people will throw lots of crap into these when they open. They must be seeing how the pumps and filters handle the flotsam thrown in.


(Closeup screen capture from KPI TV webcam here: http://evsdatacenter.netfirms.com/kpitv/silver.htm )

[UrbanImpressionist]

The museum facade looks complete and great from a distance. Anyone able to get some higher rez pics of it?

From Gothamist by Jake Dobkin

.

[urbanlife]

Originally Posted by Traynor

Today they are testing the North Pool by running it and throwing tons of coloured paper in the water.

Perhaps they read these sites and finally realized people will throw lots of crap into these when they open. They must be seeing how the pumps and filters handle the flotsam thrown in.


(Closeup screen capture from KPI TV webcam here: http://evsdatacenter.netfirms.com/kpitv/silver.htm )

Nah, that is just a typical way of testing draining to make sure everything is flowing correctly and there is no unseen backup spots.

[uaarkson]

That looks like reflection from the sun to me.

[Traynor]

Originally Posted by uaarkson

That looks like reflection from the sun to me.

Very possible. However, when I zoomed in all the way, some of the spots appeared to be under the water, as if they had sunk to the bottom.

[animatedmartian]

Not sure if this was posted, but cool time-lapse of the site.

• Video Link

[Don098]

Originally Posted by UrbanImpressionist

The museum facade looks complete and great from a distance. Anyone able to get some higher rez pics of it?

From Gothamist by Jake Dobkin

.

According to this slideshow, the trees will reach 60 feet tall. Their height will likely be controlled by the size of their root boxes. They can't get bigger than their roots and water system will allow, so they've probably been designed to stabilize at that height. That should be plenty to achieve a canopy which is what everyone wants.

On a side note, I'd love to know how they plan to keep the root from rotting because it looks like the boxes are paved-over with only a very unforgiving hole for the current sizes of the trunks which will outgrow them eventually. These features make life very unnatural for the trees (no exposed areas for evaporation and natural watering to occur)...

[Incognito]

^ If I recall correctly, I read that they designed the plaza in such way that the plaza surface is suspended over the soil as not to be compacted by the weight of the concrete. I'll try to find where I read this.

Edit: Found it at the 9/11 memorial website. There's also a section in which they talk about the trees they've selected, I think it's worth checking out.

[Patapsco]

June 26, 2011





June 27, 2011

[Traynor]

I would say this morning's test is for anti-foaming additives for the water, but that one probably isn't the formula they will go with.




(Screen capture from KPI TV webcam here: http://evsdatacenter.netfirms.com/kpitv/silver.htm )

[Patapsco]

June 28, 2011

20th Floor of Seven World Trade Center