WTC Towers: The Symbolic Power Of Architecture

Architecture represents powerful symbolic meanings. This article discusses the architecture of the World Trade Center Towers and the Pentagon and comments on why architecture is often destroyed for political purposes.

1 minute read

September 17, 2001, 8:00 AM PDT

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech


"It made a difference that there were two, and that they were identical in shape and sheathing. A single box would have been static, but the two together made a dynamic composition of forms in space. And those silvery columns, narrowly spaced to add structural strength to the facades, reflected the light in a way that, on certain evenings from the Jersey side, was sheer magic...Despite its huge size, the Pentagon cuts a low profile -- from almost any vantage point but a close-up view, the building actually doesn't look that big...In addition to being remarkably efficient, the five-sided shape cuts down the impression of size, and the designers broke up each of the long facades in simple but effective ways...Regrettably, destroying architecture for political reasons is nothing new. The more important and powerful its symbolism, the higher a building is likely to rank on the target list of a bitter foe."

Thanks to Abhijeet Chavan

Thursday, September 13, 2001 in The Washington Post

portrait of professional woman

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

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

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 7, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

People biking along beach path with moored ship in San Diego, California.

San Diego Adopts First Mobility Master Plan

The plan provides a comprehensive framework for making San Diego’s transportation network more multimodal, accessible, and sustainable.

May 2, 2025 - SD News

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Pump station with blue pipes coming out of concrete wall in Seattle, Washington.

Seattle Builds Subway-Sized Tunnel — for Stormwater

The $700 million ‘stormwater subway’ is designed to handle overflows during storms, which contain toxic runoff from roadways and vehicles.

1 hour ago - City Observatory

Sign for Deschutes National Forest in Oregon.

Feds Clear Homeless Encampment in Oregon Forest

The action displaced over 100 people living on national forest land near Bend, Oregon.

3 hours ago - The New York Times

Seeing the Better City

Is This Urbanism?

Chuck Wolfe ponders a recommended subscription list of Substack urbanists and wonders — as have others — about the utility of the "urbanist" moniker.

4 hours ago - Resurgence: A Journey via Substack

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.