A striking image of One World Trade Center captured at sunset by photographer Gerry Padden is the winner of a public photo contest hosted by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM). Based in New York City, Padden typically photographs urban sites and is "always aiming to capture a special moment that is naturally occurring." His winning image was taken in July from a rooftop in Dumbo, Brooklyn.
SOM held the #WelcomeOneWTC photo contest from November 3 to December 3, 2014, to mark the official opening of One World Trade Center. As the designers of the tower, the firm encouraged both amateur and professional photographers to participate in this historic moment for New York City by submitting their personal images of the skyscraper. Approximately 350 entries were received through Instagram and email.
As the contest winner, Padden will receive a one-of-a-kind scale model of the tower, handcrafted by the firm's model shop in Manhattan, as well as a limited-edition print of One World Trade Center, taken by renowned photographer James Ewing.
The contest jury consisted of key leaders from SOM who worked on the tower: T.J. Gottesdiener, SOM Managing Partner; Kenneth A. Lewis, SOM Managing Partner; Nicole Dosso, SOM Director; and Frank Mahan, SOM Associate Director. In addition, Elizabeth Kubany, PR Consultant for SOM's New York office, and photographer James Ewing served as judges.
One World Trade Center has long captured the imagination of locals and visitors alike, who have watched the building materialize from drawings to a 104-story, crystalline skyscraper that stands boldly in Lower Manhattan. More than 13 years in the making, the 1,776-foot office tower—the tallest in the Western Hemisphere—recaptures the New York skyline, reasserts downtown Manhattan's preeminence as a global business center, and establishes a new civic icon for the country.
SOM will showcase additional entries from the #WelcomeOneWTC photo contest in the coming weeks.
Related Stories
Multifamily Housing | Jan 27, 2015
Multifamily construction, focused on rentals, expected to slow in the coming years
New-home purchases, which recovered strongly in 2014, indicate that homeownership might finally be making a comeback.
Office Buildings | Jan 27, 2015
London plans to build Foggo Associates' 'can of ham' building
The much delayed high-rise development at London’s 60-70 St. Mary Axe resembles a can of ham, and the project's architects are embracing the playful sobriquet.
Multifamily Housing | Jan 22, 2015
Sales of apartment buildings hit record high in 2014
Investors bet big time on demand for rental properties over homeownership in 2014, when sales of apartment buildings hit a record $110.1 billion, or nearly 15% higher than the previous year.
| Jan 22, 2015
Architecture Billings Index rebounds at end of 2014
The American Institute of Architects reported the December ABI score was 52.2, up from a mark of 50.9 in November. This score reflects an increase in design activity.
| Jan 21, 2015
From technician to rainmaker: Making the leap in your career
Many AEC firms focus on training for the hard skills of the profession, not so much for business prowess, writes BD+C's David Barista.
Modular Building | Jan 21, 2015
Chinese company 3D prints six-story multifamily building
The building components were prefabricated piece by piece using a printer that is 7 meters tall, 10 meters wide, and 40 meters long.
| Jan 21, 2015
Tesla Motors starts construction on $5 billion battery plant in Nevada
Tesla Motors’ “gigafactory,” a $5 billion project on 980 acres in Sparks, Nev., could annually produce enough power for 500,000 electric cars.
| Jan 20, 2015
Daring hotel design scheme takes the shape of cut amethyst stone
The Dutch practice NL Architects designed a proposal for a chain of hotels shaped like a rock cut in half to reveal a gemstone inside.
| Jan 20, 2015
Avery Associates unveils plans for London's second-tallest tower
The 270-meter tower, dubbed the No. 1 Undershaft, will stand next to the city's "Cheesegrater" building.
| Jan 20, 2015
AIA course: Building with brick, stone, and masonry
Earn 1.0 AIA/CES learning units by studying this article and successfully completing the online exam.