The Oculus, Manhattan, New York City, USA

Описание: This structure, with its decidedly extravagant shape, is a major transport hub of the city and is located underground between towers 2 and 3 of the World Trade Center. Together with other buildings in the district, the Oculus represents the city’s rebirth after the tragic attacks on September 11, 2001 and has a very long and interesting history. Reportedly one of the most costly railway stations in the whole world, the Oculus is certainly stunning. Most of the building is underground and laid out in an elliptical plan. The exterior of this Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) station has two large arches extending proudly and boldly upwards, recalling the two wings of a phoenix. This proud vision, due in part to its white colour, came to effectively symbolise New York’s rebirth after the tragic events at the start of the millennium. The two arches soar around 164 feet above the ground. If the exterior is striking, the interior is even more appealing. The interior area of nearly 800,000 square feet is majestically illuminated by zenithal light, a peculiar feature of this building that gives meaning to the entire design. Indeed, the model for the construction of the Oculus is said to have been the Pantheon in Rome and, specifically, its oculus, which gave the station its name.