6/30/05

Current information on the new design and developments of the world trade center site:

LMDC on new design

Donad Trumps Perspectives on the WTC site design (cbs/nyc)

News Times Article (St.Louis)

Glass Steel and Stone - Encyclopedia

Cultural Issues( Kansas City-Info Zine)

Associated Press Article (Boston.com)

5/15/05

The Freedom Tower is to be redesigned, Informatin and articles are as follows, due to concerns of making the building more safe and resilient to terror attacks or more terror proof.

The Freedom tower to be Redesigned (CNN).

NYC Mayor and Govenor(All HN)

Rethinking Gound Zero (NYT).

Pataki Orders New Tower (NYP).

Officials say Tower must be redesigned (NY Newsday).

ANNOUNCEMENT: 4/3/2005

WTC Memorial Foundation - Reflecting Absence

ANNOUNCEMENT: 3/24/2005

LMDC Announces WTC Memorial: Refecting Absence

Submissions:

LMDC Memorial Competition Virtual Exhibition 5,201 Submissions.

ANNOUNCEMENT 1/12/2004:

The New Name for the WTC Tower

1/12/2004

The Star Tower (a reminder of my recommendation)

The alternative to the Freedom Tower

From: F.A.C.T.S. Communications & Design R&D, Boston MA

The FactXcange: web site, www.factxchange.com

Attn: Governor, Pataki

Kevin Rampe LMDC

Christopher E. Glaisek, Andrew Winters -Planning, Design & Development LMDC

David Dunlap New York Times, Herbert Muschamp, New York Times

Mayor Bloomberg, Governor, Pataki

New York Post & To all concerned

cc: Tourism Bureau

The Star Tower

A site appropriate name not only for and the country but for the city of New York

As outlined in my design proposal letter and design, I believe the design needs to emphasize my 7+7=14 Points of design and development.

I further emphasize that the design needs to emphasize and represent all of America.

Many New York residents and others still believe that the site be used totally as a memorial or be designated as sacred ground.

What I am stating is about The Freedom Tower being a statement about the birth of the Country of America from the British /American colonies to the United States of America.

18^th Century America:

The First Generation Anglo-American freedom/Slavery and Oppression in America

The American Revolution/War of Independence resulting in the 1776 Declaration of Independence. At this point and time in history America was not a free country for all, but only for some, it was not until nearly 100years later with the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 during the Civil War between the North and the South that the so-called Afro/African-American slaves were declared free by the Emancipation Proclamation.

Therefore, in 1776 America was a slave labor based country of the 18^th century (free from Briton but the Negro/labor population was still slaves).

19^th Century America: The divided states/Afro-American Self Determination Evolves

The Second Generation of Freedom/Segregation and Non-Inclusion

The next American period of generation freedom would be representing the 19^th century of freedom, although the African segregation American population were not completely free especially in the south were afro’s were subjected to Jim Crow laws of segregation and separation and other abuses of slavery in the South. In the North much of the freedom failed Afro-America because of stereotyping and degradation as a type of second-class citizen. Abolitionist and anti-slavery movements were need and active to stop the predominance of slavery and slave laws.

The Early-Mid 20^th Century/ The Dawn of Black Pride

In essence the full freedom of Afro-America did not arrive until the later half of the 20^th century with the civil rights movement and the black power movement of the post Harlem/Renaissance 1960’s (1930’s-1960’s). Other movements such as the UNIA of the teens and 1920’s, the renaissance era of Harlem and black America, the formation and activities of the NAACP and the scholarly activities, publications and debates of the first half of the 20^th century. During the 60’s Rosa Parks demonstrated the people of color did not have the freedom to sit where they wanted to on the bus when going to and from work.

Modern (Industry) times/Breaking out of oppression and segregation for a peak at Freedom

Afro- Americans as a whole did not here the ring of freedom until the Modern times of the 1960’s or the late second half of the 20^th century during the 70’s were Afro/African-Americans emphasized “I am Somebody”, because they were being treated in the opposite manner by the mainstream population.

The late 20^th Century/ Corporate America

The dawn of the hustle and bustle 80’s was the age of tokenism of the 70/80’s era, where having a so-called spot of Afro-American person was fashionable as corporate America embraces a limited sprinkling of afro/African Americans as accepted into ambitious workplaces as a statement of non-racism of political correctness in dealing with the issues of black America. The answer to this type of racism was affirmative action, which benefited in the end mostly white women. Again we that black/afro- America has not benefited from the benefits of freedom but in many ways suffered the consequences of its product.

Many groups Have abused their freedoms as well, from the terrorist groups as the KKK (Ku Klux Klan) of the (past) south and the predominately Caucasian/white old-boy networks-racket groups of the North which dominated the 70’s /80’s.

The 1990’s/New Millennium & The 21^st Century – Better late than never.

With America constantly falling into economic disaster of ups and downs America attempts to remedy this situation and promote or diversify the workforce professionally and educationally by accepting Afro-Americans/minorities of color as a whole as part of the productive economy. These are some of the first steps to diversify the college and professional workplace Environment. By giving cultural background more validity as part of a nation of people with different ethnic backgrounds are accepted into the mainstream of the American system of development and nation hood.

Corporate Crime / finally the address of white collar crime and the 21^st. century

In essence it was not until a case of corporate crime at the turn into the 21^st century that America attempted to patrol or be comprehensive/Caucasians of or address itself as a nation. Until the Enron case African Americans at that time began to feel that the freedom of the country was to benefit all.

This brings us to the remaining problems of the 21^st century The Architectural Profession.

Which is a white and foreigner dominated profession; old boy network based profession and has been for a very long time. This relates to bad business tactics such as racketeering and so-forth. So architecturally America has not embraced it’s Afro-American population, which represents a problem for the future of America. The lesson which America still has to learn is how to expose its African –American population in business /arts (architecture, urban design etc) and promote not demote, degrade and ostracize or cast-out the skills and talents of its African American population.

In Conclusion,

America is in a state of architectural crisis as a nation that the county has growing problems as many do during their youth and even after that into adulthood. The African American population is suffering from the dominant powers of oppression in the architectural profession from Caucasian/white –Americans and foreigner population from other countries. In other words America is not fostering a productive culture for the future of the country, this could be seen as separatist –originating out of the architectural profession. Although being of the most artistically creative people (performing arts /acting, literature, arts, poetry, music) in the world and in America the Architecture /Industry still chooses to work against the grain of the creativity of black/Afro-America. Afro/African Americans in the architectural profession are not feeling the Freedom of America. Instead the feeling is the opposite- the struggle or juxtaposition of Afro- America as it came out of the slavery era of the mid19th century of some 150-200 years ago.

But yet there is a still a freedom tower being built that is supposed to represent America’s independence and history.

As a nation America has abused much of its freedoms in history, can the few make up for the many?

The Freedom Tower may not be the best name for the tower.

A more appropriate name could be or would be the STAR TOWER This relates to New York as the entertainment center of the country and to the stars of the American Flag which represent the hopes of all of the united states and the hopes which our own night skies bring us as a nation represented by the American Flag. We all have the freedom to dream an we can all dream of being a star-even when the victims of slavery were not free or more currently when discrimination and segregation stopped or hindered Afro-Americans from attaining the goal of the American dream of stardom.

Afro-Americans participation in the arts and entertainment industry, is something that all America has benefited from.

Currently speaking stars make America shine although freedom has not given Afro-America a fair handshake, Afro-Americans in many ways are the stars of America and America is the land where you can become a star if you try (hard enough)

The flag of the original thirteen US colonies were also represented by stars which all stood out so independently. So let us not politicize the tower with the complexities or issues of freedom but let us let it be a star – that will shine so bright at night, as the flag of the thirteen states did in1776 and well as the current flag of 50 states today.

The Building is located in New York, is New York not the place you go if you want to become a star? So let us, let it be, be a star that shines so bright THE STAR TOWER, would be just right – shining brightly on cold and lonely nights.

My proposal emphasizes the stars and stripes of America – Theme (Although just a schematic concept plan). Let us give justice to the facts of history and let the building be a star.

Let’s give Afro-American Architectural students and professionals (& their families) a dream of being a star, where there is not only one but many as represented as on the American flag. Although architecture in US history still works against the grain of the creativity of Black/Afro-America let Afro/African-Americans in the architectural profession have a dream of becoming a star and producing star quality designs for the future of America and the world.

Henceforth –

THE STAR TOWER represents Afro-American architectural professionals.

Stars come in all colors and nationalities/races THE STAR TOWER is representative of American freedom, the freedom to be a star. The founding fathers of America are the stars of American history, so along with Afro-American history let us give the Tower and the ability to be a Star as well.

If they could make it here they can make it anywhere….The New York (World Trade Center) STAR TOWER the new centerpiece of New York and the world.

Joseph Edgegecombe, Architectural/historical Leader and Scholar

F.A.C.T.S. Communications and Design R&D/Exchange- Association Center

On the web at www.factxchange.com under WTC Development advocacy

Email: x.nation.com@earthlink.net or, jvictor21je@netscape.net

Phone: 617-905-9218 or 617-822-7580

PROPOPSAL & SOLUTION: 1/24/2003

An IDEAL DESIGN MODEL SOLUTION for the WTC Design

and the teams & A Model for Development

Submittal/Project Name: The Stars & Stripes (forever) of America (7+7)

To:

Local Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC)

John Whitehead, President &

Alex Garvin, Vice President Planning Design & Development

One Liberty Plaza – 20^th floor

New York, NY 10006

From:

Joseph C. Edgecombe - Scholar

Afro-Architectural Affairs Analyst-designer/ Documentary Historian

Architecture 4 All

FACTS ARCHITECTURE- Communications & Design R&D

408 Seaver Street

Boston MA 02121

617-905-9218

e-mail address: x.nation.com@factxchange.com

or jvictor21je@netscape.net

A model for development

A supplemental to the guidelines

7+7/14 Point - Facts of Design

Facts for the future – a politically correct solution

Seven valid points of site design and master planning (Part 1)

Seven facts of architecture and design (Part 2)

Design Proposal (Part 3)

Enclosed:

1.) FACTS organizational letter

2.) 3 page informational letter on recommended design and master planning criteria

3.) 5 pages of design and planning sketches

3a.) Site mater plan, road transportation & pedestrian

3b.) Site plan (same)

3c.) Site building plan /massing plan w surrounding street areas

3d.) Landscape planning & memorial location

4.) Plan and elevation sketches

5.) Perspective sketch of central world trade center building

4.) Resume

Submittal/Project Name:

The Stars & Stripes (forever) of America (7+7)

Attn: LMDC Local Manhattan Development Corporation:

A Model Design Solution for the new World Trade Center

The FACTS of Architecture and Leadership

A Master Plan for the New World Trade City / Center - New York

The New World Trade City/Cultural Center

1/24/2003

Joseph C. Edgecombe - The FACTS Association

An IDEAL DESIGN MODEL SOLUTION for the WTC design and the teams.

The World Trade Centers current design schemes each represent parts of a puzzle in which we are all trying to put together, I’ve analyzed this site and have researched, heard commentary over the internet and at the February 13^th public meeting on the design proposals. I’ve e-mailed the LMDC and participated on a New York newspapers bulletin board as an architectural affairs analyst and professional.

A Model Design Solution is needed to refine & justify the design process.

The diversity of request by the public must be met architecturally in some manner and a priorities list can be made or developed to validify the site design and master plan.

Hence I submit my design model for development.

Therefore - Part 1:

I make the 7 valid points of site development:

1. A centerpiece or focus/memorial building:

This is a must as well as a separate memorial for the design solution.

2. The objective of the design:

A distributed site/building plan to accommodate square footage needs and to make the site not only a vertically developed high rise/tower design but a distributed building and massing designed site as well, this will keep all buildings except the site focus or main building (memorial) at lower levels (which may still in some respects still be considered high).

3. The thesis for development: For the people and by the people and a monumental but sensible or reasonably scaled design solution.

4. The actual design, planning and landscaping of the site:

The buildings architectural design should be one which represents both the world and America / The United States and togetherness., Culturally speaking, a new American theme for the future.

5. The site/building adaptability to the surroundings: complementary building massing and appropriateness.

6. Transit and pedestrian planning: Meeting the needs and accommodations the public and scalability of the site.

7. Sustainability of the development environment: A MXD plan such as this should accommodate the cultural & civic amenities of education, leisure, commerce, interaction and entertainment as well as world financial business/cultural development and world/organizational justice advocacy (accommodations).

Part 2:

The 7 Facts of Architecture & Design

The architectural design of the site should be one that bring the world together, mends the hearts minds and spirits from the effects of the destruction and losses which happened from the results of the 9/11/2002 terrorist attacks on important institutions of America.

What needs to be emphasized is that there could be four mid-rise buildings or structures which could be placed – one at each corner of the site and a centerpiece memorial building, this will keep all buildings (except the main building / memorial which is the focus of the site) distanced from each other, giving them separate identities as part of distributed site/master planning and keep the corner buildings at a lower height /or at the height of the surrounding buildings having been designed with both site/building height and site width in mind.

Other buildings (such as the long narrow buildings) can be low–mid-rise structures and also be less massive.

FACT 1:

My design recommendations are from public comment and critique and would emphasize a tectonic centerpiece / memorial building which emphasizes external structural development and Americas architectural memorial to the victims of 9/11 occurrence. This type of design represents and emphasizes the architectural commitment to America’s losses and maintains a renewed spirit of America.

FACT 2:

The site master plan massing should emphasize a pyramidal of Afro-Egyptian or monumental design aesthetic - building up to a peak/height at the center of the site from a low perimeter/ or the edges of the site to emphasize world considerations and design of the of the site as well as other important factors. Which has not been address by any of the proposals or selected proposals at this time.

A sculptural design such as this is one which welcomes the world.

FACT 3:

A Post Modern or Post Contemporary design which would be seen as avant-garde, cutting edge or new age as we try and attempt to facilitate a new type of architecture for the new millennium

Making the design of the new world trade center a marvel of cultural art and architecture of the world – as the original world trade center had accomplished.

FACT 4:

A combination of the mentioned architectural styles and architectural representation of America and the world /culture will make The New World Trade City/Cultural Center the architectural Icon for America and the world and will remake the WTC of New York the most recognized and respected place in the world as well as meeting the publics quest for an outstanding design solution.

FACT 5:

The language and development of architecture make world history and as well maps out and is a guide to the foundation, history and future of the world. Therefore the design solution should be considerate of all people of our diverse world.

FACT 6:

In rebuilding the WTC site we as a people who have beliefs in those who started and fought for the establishment and growth of this country – with Jefferson as architect / documentarian (or politician) we again will repeat how important politically correct architecture has been in the past and is in conjunction with public interactivity and concern in leading in leading this country and world into the future, except this time it will and should be…The New Architecture - by the people and for the people, not only that of a persons or firms design intent, this new architecture will break down the walls of the old school and present day architecture of self-satisfaction and initiate a new school of pluralistic Architecture – for the people and society in which we all live, work and interact - black, white and world.

FACT 7:

A universal design solution, the design solution should be considerate of the handicapped of challenged and accessible to all people who need additional accommodation

Attached are my designs and recommendations for what I call THE NEW WORLD TRADE CITY/CULTURAL CENTER.

Part 3:

The 7+7 Design Solution (14)

JOSEPH C. EDGECOMBE

Afro-Architectural Affairs Analyst-designer/ Documentary Historian

Architecture 4 All

Architecture by the facts:

FACTS ARCHITECTURE - Communications & Design

408 Seaver Street

Boston, MA 02121

617-905-9218

e-mail x.nation.com@factxchange.com or jvictor21je@netscape.net

The design solution I’ve submitted and recommend for the other designers /design teams to follow – respects the innovative design proposal requirements.

7 FACTS FOR THE FUTURE

7 on ARCHITECTURE

An IDEAL DESIGN MODEL SOLUTION for the WTC Design

& the Design teams.

Submittal /Project Name:

The Stars & Stripes (forever) of America

To:

Local Manhattan Development Corporation

John Whitehead, President &

Alex Garvin, Vice President Planning Design & Development

One Liberty Plaza – 20^th floor

New York, NY 10006

From:

Joseph C. Edgecombe - Scholar

Afro-Architectural Affairs Analyst-designer/ Documentary Historian

Architecture 4 All

FACTS ARCHITECTURE- Communications & Design R&D

408 Seaver Street

Boston MA 02121

617-905-9218

e-mail x.nation.com@earthlink.net or jvictor21je@netscape.net

A Master Plan For the New Word Trade City / Center – New York

A Design Model Solution

Other buildings (such as the long narrow buildings) can be low–mid-rise structures and also be less massive.

Using a Distributed Plan makes the site less vulnerable to attacks.

Importantly architectural criteria should emphasize or represent the world America.

Design, Memorial Notes and Recommendations

Building plan design - the star plan:

Plan should be a star plan corner/angles of the building could be extenuated by using large round columns that support the building to the top and are reinforced by X beams – spanning the height of the building.

1a.) The Building Star design emphasizes the stars of the flag of the USA – as a memorial to the victims of the 9/11 attack.

1b.) The building is surrounded by columns, 13 large columns and 50 smaller columns (representing the 50 states of the USA) The 13 large columns represent the 1^st original colonies of the United States and have the victims names etched on them.

1c.) All of the columns could act as a barrier to attacks on the buildings by vehicles.

2.) The narrow buildings on the site are representative of the stripes of the US flag.

3.) Comprehensively the site & design comes together as the:

Stars and Stripes of America.