With buildings like the Brooklyn Bridge, Grand Central Terminal, the lost Penn Station, and the Schwarzman Building of the New York Public Library in mind, the architect aimed to create a structure that served the public. When she’s not writing, you can find Kelly wandering around Paris, whether she’s leading a tour (as a guide, she has been interviewed by BBC World News America and When asked about his hopes for the future of the site, Calatrava is quick to mention the city’s millions of commuters and how he envisions their interactions with the space. Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava designed a bright, uplifting transportation terminal for the new World Trade Center. Calatrava looked to these surrounding skyscrapers as inspiration—and not just in terms of scale.

However, It’s not only the Oculus’ interior that is full of symbolism. Construction on the expensive building began September 2005, and it opened to the public in March 2016.

The transportation hub's innovative design features retractable 150-foot-high, glass-and-steel "wings" that will allow natural light to pass through to the rail platforms 60 feet below street level.The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), is building the 800,000-square-foot hub. At 800,000 square feet, this space features a mezzanine, retail space, and access to the station’s four underground platforms. “[These buildings] elevate the everyday activities such as waiting for a train into dignified urban experiences which will be enjoyed for generations to come,” he explains to My Modern Met. Located between towers two and three, the hub provides easy access to the World Financial Center (WFC), ferries, and 13 existing subway lines.

In June 2007, a second temporary entrance opened on Church Street, replacing the initial entrance.

Like travel? In the case of the Oculus, this required more than looking at the surrounding buildings; Calatrava also had to consider the fact that the space was situated on Ground Zero.“It was indeed necessary that the building possess a relationship with the emotions of this specific site,” he explains. “From an architectural standpoint, this stretch of light is an important element, as it illuminates the space in an aesthetically pleasing way. Every September 11th at 10:28 AM—the time when the second tower collapsed— the sunlight shines through the skylight and illuminates the central axis of the main hall.

In the morning of every sunny day, the sunlight enters through the skylight and projects on the floor paving below a long strip of illumination that I call the ‘Way of Light.’ ”its intention transcends function, as its primary role is symbolic. Like My Modern Met on Facebook

The full-service, regional transportation hub will replace the temporary WTC PATH station currently in place. World Trade Center Transportation Hub is a below grade metro or light-rail station and underground structure that was built from 2008 until 2016. © 2020. In addition to this interior, the Oculus is known for its stark white, sculptural entryway. The FTA has committed approximately $1.92 billion toward the more than $3.2 billion project, with the Port Authority investing the difference. Kelly Richman-Abdou is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met.

Designed in collaboration with The Oculus: An Exclusive Look at New York City’s Transportation Hub and Touching 9/11 Tribute“The two most important functional aspects to be fulfilled in a transportation facility are ease of wayfinding and easy orientation,” Calatrava tells My Modern Met.

“Through the enormous 240′ x 20′ opening, we are framing a piece of Manhattan’s sky. Calatrava elaborates: “The Oculus both respects the memory of September 11th and also underlines the American spirit of looking forward after such an enormous tragedy and immediately thinking of the rebuilding.”The Oculus has been open for three years.