New Museum, New York City

Proposal for the Storefront of Art & Architecture's Ideas City 2014 Streetfest competition

New York City public space since 9/11 faces undeniable questions of security. One World Trade, the reluctant symbol of resurrection  and the most expensive building in the united States at $15,0000/sf, epitomizes these concerns. In the original design by SOM's David Childs (strong-armed away from the control of Daniel Libeskind and the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation) originally tapered at its lower stories in a reflection of the upper form. The most formal gesture of an otherwise modest design, the facade was later replaced with a “blast wall” to protect against street level attacks, in an effort to alleviate concerns of the NYPD and FDNY. This impenetrable pedestal, constructed of solid reinforced concrete, measures 32” in width. As part of a proposal for the Storefront for Art and Architecture “Street Architecture” Competition, I proposed re-erecting the form work used to frame this monumental "blast wall" as a public art installation.