David Childs, renowned architect and mastermind behind the iconic One World Trade Center which stands at the site of New York’s former Twin Towers, has passed away at 83. His passing on Wednesday in Pelham, New York, was due to complications from Lewy body dementia, a condition diagnosed recently in September, as confirmed by his son, Nicholas Childs.
Childs’ most notable work remains One World Trade Center, the tallest structure in the Western Hemisphere. However, his legacy also includes other significant undertakings like revamping the master plan for Washington, D.C.’s National Mall, expanding Virginia’s Dulles International Airport, and constructing the 7 World Trade Center building in Manhattan, as stated by his firm, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.
In a heartfelt statement, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill expressed, “David’s contribution to the firm was extensive and profound, and we will always be grateful to David for his leadership, his impact, and his friendship. We will miss him dearly and extend our condolences and deepest sympathies to his family.”
Nicholas Childs fondly recalls his father sketching an initial concept of One World Trade Center on a napkin during a New York lunch post-9/11. This sketch, preserved by Nicholas, laid the groundwork for what would become the final design.
An architect who valued civic responsibility, David Childs was known to echo the sentiment of famed American-German architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, believing that “God is in the details.” Nicholas noted his father’s commitment to balancing beauty with functionality, emphasizing architecture that serves people well.
Opened in 2014, the 1,776-foot-tall (540-meter-tall) One World Trade Center tower features a steel-and-glass structure culminating in a tapered form with eight triangles and a tall spired needle. Its creation was marked by challenging negotiations, including disputes between Childs and Daniel Libeskind concerning the site’s overall design, and debates among government and relatives of 9/11 victims.
Childs’ adaptation of Libeskind’s initial twisting skyscraper concept resulted in a smoother design, later updated to address security concerns for greater bomb resistance. At its unveiling, Childs described the structure as “iconic, simple and pure,” reflecting resilience and democratic spirit. Furthermore, it was engineered as “the safest building in the world,” featuring enhanced safety measures like broader staircases and separate emergency routes for firefighters.
Born in 1941 in Princeton, New Jersey, Childs spent his youth in Washington, D.C., and Mount Kisco, New York. He attended Deerfield Academy before earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree in architecture from Yale University. Since joining Skidmore, Owings & Merrill in 1971, Childs contributed to numerous prominent projects, including the Constitution Gardens and various urban skyscrapers across New York.
His international work included the U.S. embassy in Ottawa, London’s Canary Wharf, and the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. For his groundbreaking efforts in architecture and humanities, Childs was awarded the Rome Prize in 2004.
He is survived by his wife, Annie, three children: Nicholas, Joshua, and Jocelyn, and several grandchildren. The family plans to hold a small private memorial soon, with a larger service anticipated in May, Nicholas Childs shared.