AIArchitect, March 31, 2003 - Convention to Explore The World Trade Center Site

04/2003

Convention to Explore
“The World Trade Center Site—Design Matters!”

Photo by Brett Shoaf. Courtesy of San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau. The AIA 2003 National Convention and Expo offers theme presentations that will provide an opportunity to hear new perspectives, informed opinions, and inspiring visions from industry leaders and entrepreneurial innovators about this year’s theme, “Design Matters! Poetry + Proof.”

Rarely in the history of architecture has the development of a site held the sustained interest of the global community. The horrific devastation of September 11, 2001, in Lower Manhattan began a chain of events that has ultimately presented the design and building community with perhaps its greatest challenge. How do we transform the World Trade Center site—a place of so much death and destruction—into a space that acknowledges that loss while affirming life?

After September 11, the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation was formed and, together with the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, began the journey to develop a master plan for the World Trade Center site. Ultimately, “Memory Foundations” by Studio Daniel Libeskind was selected as the design concept.

On Saturday, May 10 (day three), Robert Ivy, FAIA, Architectural Record editor in chief, will lead a panel discussion with Daniel Libeskind; The New Yorker architecture critic Paul Goldberger, Hon. AIA; Frances Halsband, FAIA, the AIA New York Chapter past president; and Stanton Eckstut, FAIA, advisor to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Discussion about the many issues surrounding the rebuilding of the World Trade Center site and the challenges that lie ahead will focus on:
• The political process, which has directly engaged the architecture and planning community with the public
• The programmatic constraints, involving cultural, spiritual, and economic needs along with practical considerations of transportation
• The now highly visible role of architects in shaping the urban environment
• The media’s function in generating knowledge and understanding about this complex undertaking.

AIA National Convention: Business as Usual
Despite the current war in Iraq, the AIA 2003 National Convention and Expo still is on schedule to go forth as planned, May 8–10 in San Diego. In addition, a number of preconvention workshops also are proceeding full speed ahead, including meetings of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “Current, world events affect us all, especially when you are part of a military organization,” says USACE’s Jeffery T. Hooghouse, AIA. “But we also realize we have a job to do, and this event is part of that job.”

Register before the April 11 pre-registration deadline: You’ll save $80 by registering early (the AIA member registration fee is $185 in advance and $265 onsite) and have access to more than 130 seminars, three theme sessions, and Expo2003—with more than 600 exhibitors showcasing products, technology innovations, and services.

For the most up-to-date convention information and to register online, visit the AIA convention Web site.

For information on attending the AIA 2003 National Convention and Expo and booking exhibit space at AIA Expo2003, contact M|C Communications, 888-242-1824. This article was prepared by M|C Communications, the AIA’s convention consultant.