The Death Of An Icon

The World Trade Center towers were an icon of the most powerful city in the world. Was it a mistake to build these grand towers? No. Architecture captures the strength and power of the American idea.

1 minute read

September 13, 2001, 6:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


Those towers were not the prettiest buildings in the world, but they were an icon of the most powerful city in the world. We created a powerful target. Was it a mistake to build these grand towers? No. These men could have picked any number of great works by Americans -- the Brooklyn Bridge, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Sears Tower. Part of the glory of America over the last 100 years is our success in creating fantastic buildings and bridges. We did it first and better, before anyone else...

Thanks to John H. Hooker, AIA

Thursday, September 13, 2001 in Planetizen

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

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