Design shines for the ages

Leslie McManus

Challenge

For the design of New York City’s symbolic One World Trade Center, architects sought to echo the highlighted corners of the original structure.

Solution

To accentuate the corners, Outokumpu developed a Deco Laser surface finish that gives off a prominent appearance from all angles, as well as shines in sustainability and durability.

Delivery

Steel grade: 200 tonnes of Deco Laser-finished, corrosion-resistant cladding

When it comes to One World Trade Center (1WTC), the landmark centerpiece of the World Trade Center complex in Lower Manhattan, New York City, superlatives are in no short supply. The tallest building in the western hemisphere, 1WTC is a stunning showpiece of innovation in architecture, urban design, safety and sustainability.

Clad in stainless steel, the 104-story building is a gleaming beacon at the new heart of the city. Like Manhattan’s nearby 85-year-old Chrysler building – also clad in stainless steel – 1WTC will show no age as the years pass. The timeless beauty of stainless steel reflects enduring design values as well as essential practicalities, such as low life-cycle costs.

 

Bringing design to life

This highly symbolic skyscraper looks to the future while memorializing the structure that preceded it. Accordingly, architects Skidmore, Owings & Merrill created an echo of the original tower’s distinctive corners in 1WTC. But to make the corners truly prominent, the architects asked Outokumpu for something unique.

A special team – with members representing application technology, production, product service and a roll texturer – developed a new surface with exceptional brightness especially for this building. Named Deco Laser for the advanced technology used in its development, the new pattern finish was produced in an embossing process in the rolling mill.

 

More than surface beauty

The stainless steel shines in other ways as well. Rising to a height of 541 meters, 1WTC is the most environmentally sustainable project of its size in the world, featuring the latest methods to maximize efficiency, minimize waste and pollution, conserve water, improve air quality and reduce the impact of development. Fully recyclable stainless steel plays a key role, giving the landmark tower a timeless, sustainable durability.

For 1WTC’s exterior, 200 tonnes of Deco Laser-finished, corrosion-resistant cladding produced in the Dillenburg plant in Germany was delivered, earning this skyscraper the status as one of the most beautiful landmarks today.

Recommended products and insights

How to build a bridge that saves a fortune

Our expert Andy Backhouse explains how the right grade of stainless steel can create a structure that resists corrosion and minimizes maintenance needs over a typical bridge lifetime.

Façade

Building façade material selection is critically important. The material must be visually appealing, low maintenance and impervious to weather and pollution.

Deco

There is a wide variety of surface finishes available for our stainless steel products. Decorative cladding that perfectly matches the architect’s vision. Functional and decorative surfaces for elevators and other indoor spaces. 

Dillenburg, Germany

Today’s leading architecture is dazzling – made even more stunning when clad in stainless steel. Famous buildings around the world showcase the polish and performance of Outokumpu Dillenburg stainless steel.

Sustainability

Stainless steel is a superb material for sustainable solutions as it is 100% recyclable, efficient and long-lasting. Our vision is to become the customers’ first choice in sustainable stainless steel.

Recommended reading

Article

What if beauty lasted for centuries?

Making of

Making of Birmingham New Street Station

Case Ping An

Megatall with iconic steel façade

Case Goldman Sachs Tower

Stainless landmark glows golden

Article

Buildings of the big apple

Article

What if cities were built tall and green?

Webinar

Further processing of stainless steel

Webinar

Fabrication of stainless steel

Webinar, Oct 20

Suitable stainless steel grades for your façade project