Moderator: Susan Chin, FAIA, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, New York City
Fredric Bell, FAIA, AIA New York, New York City
Craig Dykers, Snøhetta, Oslo, Norway

      Discuss architectural and planning implications of the World Trade Center Cultural Center design by Snøhetta and the adjacent Performing Arts Center at Ground Zero. Examine the relation of cultural facilities to the urban design context, including the September 11 memorial; dissect the 2005 controversy over the World Trade Center cultural facilities’ location and intent in the context of site redevelopment goals; and discuss the project’s status as of June 2006.

Learning objectives:

• Evaluate how programming and site plan intentions led to a mix of proposed uses for the World Trade Center site
• Consider prior projects by Snøhetta and the design process for the World Trade Center Cultural Center, in relation to infrastructure needs on site
• Analyze the current state of plans for cultural facilities at the World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan and their relation to the World Trade Center memorial and memorial center.