New One World Trade Center

On May 10 2013, the spire of the new "One World Trade Center" (OWTC) was installed in New York. The new OWTC has total high of 1776 feet (541 m), which makes it the tallest building in the western hemisphere, and the third tallest building in the world, after the Burj Khalifa and the Shanghai Tower. The total height of 1776 feet is not random, but was selected as a symbolic reference to America's independence. Live cameras allow to follow the construction progress the 24 hours. The present post will introduce some technological innovations about OWTC, which later will be described with more detail.

Image 1. Spire installation of OWTC

Source: inhabitat

Visual

The OWTC is visible from over 20 miles away. The tower rises from a 185-foot (56 m) windowless concrete base, designed to protect it against truck bombs and other ground-level terror threats. From the 20th floor upwards, the square edges of the tower's cubic base are chamfered back, transforming the building into eight isosceles triangles. Visually, the most striking feature of the interior is, without question, the cavernous lobby. Thanks to the boxlike structure of the podium, there is a soaring 60-foot ceiling?think of Radio City Music Hall’s theater, bathed in light.

Image 2. Panoramic view of new OWTC

Source: Architecturaldigest

Safety

OWTC is one of the safest, technologically advanced, and environmentally sensitive buildings in the world. It has a concrete core, with very thick concrete walls. The three-foot concrete slabs are designed to withstand high winds and earthquakes. The podium has some hefty blast-resistant walls at the base, which are state-of-the-art fire-suppression systems. There are 70 specially protected elevators and a separate, dedicated stairway for fire and safety personnel. According to architect Del Valle, "it may not be the tallest building in the world, but it is certainly the safest”.

Green building

OWTC incorporates not only new architectural and safety standards, but new environmental standards as well, setting a new level of social responsibility in urban design. According to the New York Port Authority, the OWTC has already been certified to LEED Gold and will set the global standard for sustainability. Once the building is fully operation, it’s expected to draw as much as 70 percent of its power from green energy. Some other green facts are:

Fuel cells, waste steam recycling, harvest rainwater, landscaping with more than 400 trees, waste material recycling,  use of green cement, renewable wind and hydro power energy, indoor air quality, daylighting, low water bathrooms, green port a potties

References and Further Reading
A look at the new one world trade center
One world trade center spire installed in New York city
One world trade center
One world trade center live cams
Green facts about New York's new one world trade center