The New York World Trade Center

Designed for strength, demolished by terrorist attack on September 11, 2001

The World Trade Center in New York City Before the Terrorist Attack

Photo © Markus Seidel / iStockPhoto

The World Trade Center is a living symbol of man's dedication to world peace.
^{~Minoru Yamasaki, chief architect}

Designed by architect Minoru Yamasaki, the World Trade Center consisted of two 110-story buildings (known as the "Twin Towers") and five smaller buildings. The World Trade Center towers were light, economical structures designed to keep the wind bracing on the outside surfaces.

Architect Minoru Yamasaki studied over a hundred models before adopting the twin tower plan. Plans for a single tower were rejected because the size was cumbersome and impractical. Plans for several towers "looked too much like a housing project," Yamasaki said. The World Trade Center Towers were among the tallest buildings in the world, and contained nine million square feet of office space.

Next: Structure of the World Trade Center Twin Towers >

More Photos:
Collapse of the World Trade Center Towers

September 11, 2001:
Destruction, Reconstruction, and Monuments

• Designed for strength, demolished by terrorist attack on September 11, 2001
• Structure of the New York World Trade Center Twin Towers
• Architect Minoru Yamasaki Discusses the World Trade Center Towers
• Architect Minoru Yamasaki: World Trade Center Symbolizes World Peace