construction is underway at new york’s world trade center site, where a design by santiago calatrava will rebuild the former greek orthdox church destroyed during the attacks of 9/11. entitled the ‘st. nicholas national shrine’, calatrava’s scheme references the byzantine architecture of istanbul’s hagia sophia while a translucent skin allows the building to glow at night.

santiago calatrava st. nicholas national shrine world trade center designboom
the scheme references the byzantine architecture of istanbul’s hagia sophia
image © santiago calatrava (also main image)

 

 

 

regardless of calatrava‘s proposal, the church will continue to function as a parish of the archdiocese, but it will also be a national shrine on hallowed ground. open to everyone, the building will stand as a spiritual beacon overlooking the national september 11 memorial park and museum.

santiago calatrava st. nicholas national shrine world trade center designboom
the former greek orthdox church was destroyed during the attacks of 9/11
image © santiago calatrava

 

 

 

internally, a gently lit nave provides space for holy services, while at the upper levels of the plan, a mediation space is accompanied by a community room to welcome both visitors and parishioners. the ‘st. nicholas national shrine’ will open its doors to the public in early 2016.

santiago calatrava st. nicholas national shrine world trade center designboom
open to everyone, the building will stand as a spiritual beacon overlooking the memorial site
images © santiago calatrava

santiago calatrava st. nicholas national shrine world trade center designboom
the approach to the church
image © santiago calatrava

santiago calatrava st. nicholas national shrine world trade center designboom
internally, an gently lit nave provides space for holy services
image © santiago calatrava

santiago calatrava st. nicholas national shrine world trade center designboom
image © santiago calatrava

santiago calatrava st. nicholas national shrine world trade center designboom
the ceiling’s dome is a direct reference to the church of the savior in chora, istanbul
image © santiago calatrava

santiago calatrava st. nicholas national shrine world trade center designboom
a translucent skin allows the building to glow at night
images © santiago calatrava

santiago calatrava st. nicholas national shrine world trade center designboom
the church shown in the context of the WTC site
images © santiago calatrava

 

 


st. nicholas national shrine at the world trade center
video © santiago calatrava

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