New York City takes urban architecture to new heights, figuratively and literally. The
skyscraper may not have been invented here, but this city is a living museum of the
concept of building vertically.
In the first half of the twentieth century, buildings such as the Woolworth, Chrysler and
Empire State both amazed and served some econimic funtion. Each in some way larger, taller
or more fantastic than the last, these structures captured the commercial, aesthetic and
architectural aspirations of their time.
By mid-century, buildings such as Lever House and the Seagram Building took things to the
next level. Even today, we find ourselves asking "What's next?"
The huge amount of interest in the rebuilding of the World Trade Center Site seems not to
be just about making sure a fitting memorial is put into place. In some small way, it also
seems to be about repairing Manhattan's skyline - America's skyline.
These pages are dedicated to an exploration of these sometimes intricate, sometimes
massive structures that make up one of the world's greatest collections of urban
architecture.
