Anger Builds Over Tower Design Resembling 9/11 Explosion
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At right, an artistic rendering of two luxury buildings designed by MVRDV. They are connected by a "cloud" on the 27th floor. Some say the design is eerily similar to the disaster at the World Trade Center, left, on 9/11. (Peter C. Brandt/Getty Images; MVRDV/AP Photo)
A new building design created by Dutch architectural firm MVRDV is angering people who say the structure evokes the World Trade Center attack during 9/11.
The new luxury building, slated for completion in 2015 in Seoul, South Korea, will featured a “cloud” connecting two towers at the 27th floor.
But some say that The Cloud, which will feature a large connecting atrium, a wellness center, various pools, restaurants and cafes, looks far too similar to the explosion at the World Trade Center on 9/11 after two planes flew directly into the twin towers.
“A real media storm has started and we receive threatening emails and calls of angry people calling us al Qaeda lovers or worse,” the company posted on its Facebook page.
Hundreds of outraged commenters took to the company’s Facebook page, such as Lance Henley, who wrote, “It looks like the WTC exploding on impact, how could anyone be such a moron…if it goes up it’ll come down just as fast.”
But others suggested the comparison was far-fetched.
“Everyone should remember that the World doesn’t revolve around the US or 9/11. They have their own things going on to think about and worry about to honestly remember what the buildings looked like coming down and all that. Stop acting like the world revolves around the US,” wrote Ricky Arellano.
The Cloud was reportedly inspired by a drawing of two towers with a cloud covering the center of the skyscraper.
On their website, the company wrote, “MVRDV regrets deeply any connotations The Cloud projects evokes regarding 9/11.”
“It was not our intention to create an image resembling the attacks nor did we see the resemblance during the design process. We sincerely apologize to anyone whose feelings we have hurt, it was not our intention.”
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Good grief.. People get real.
Posted by: Gelog | December 12, 2011, 3:57 pm 3:57 pm
I think MVRDV is really guilty of coming up with one UGLY of a design concept. Concrete rectangles? That’s the best idea they had?
Posted by: DBM | December 12, 2011, 3:58 pm 3:58 pm
It’s a great design. I’m sick and tired of thin skinned New Yorkers bullying everyone in the name of 911. Get over it. More people died in the US that week from bad medical care than from terrorism.
Posted by: Robert Norton | December 12, 2011, 3:59 pm 3:59 pm
Well now, since it’s not slated for construction in a US city I can’t imagine why we care. Interesting design. Doubtful it was intended to mimic 9/11.
Posted by: lexingtonlady | December 12, 2011, 4:03 pm 4:03 pm
Lance Henly sounds like an alarmist who likes to stir up hate from his ignorance.
Posted by: jan | December 12, 2011, 4:05 pm 4:05 pm
Sometimes, American way of thinking is utter stupidity. This reminds me of the “Inkblot Hypothesis” which shows that people interpret things according to the foolishness and illusion of their minds. Rather than barking at the wrong tree, maybe Americans can direct their anger toward George Bush, and stop poking this nose in how other countries design their buildings. Sick!
Posted by: NoFlyZone2 | December 12, 2011, 4:07 pm 4:07 pm
I bet, if you kiss someone with saliva foaming around your mouth, Americans will get upset because it may remind them of the 9/11 smoke at the twin towers. Just don’t do anything that reminds us of 9/11. 9/11 is an American “holy day.”
Posted by: NoFlyZone2 | December 12, 2011, 4:14 pm 4:14 pm
Interesting design concept, though not very attractive. I find it far-fetched to say it resembles the 9/11 attacks. It would take a lot of imagination to get that from the drawing published here. I find the idea very innovative and would like to see it from the inside when complete. I hope the company doesn’t change the plan just because a bunch of people looking for something to be offended by have picked this.
Posted by: Arf40 | December 12, 2011, 4:32 pm 4:32 pm
Honestly… it does look like the twin towers as they were falling. That was my first thought. I can see what they were going with though, the cloud. However, they should have been able to see this coming. And no the world doesn’t revolve around the US and 9/11. That was just a horrible moment in time and people all over the world were shocked by it. There’s nothing anyone can do about it now. What’s done is done. All we can do now is try to look at it as if it is the way it was intended to be… a cloud at mid level of beautiful buildings.
Posted by: klberkey | December 12, 2011, 4:38 pm 4:38 pm
The idea of a cloud floating among the skyscrapers is actually pretty cool as a concept, but this execution is kind of–well, ugly. The cloud reminds me of Mario Bros. pixels. There must be some way to soften those edges and make the cloud appear “fluffier.”
Posted by: terri | December 12, 2011, 4:38 pm 4:38 pm
Since I never plan to be in Seoul, Korea, they can build whatever they want. There is no denying that the design looks like the Twin Towers on 9/11. However, there are millions of people around the world that know nothing about what happened to the WTS. I think that it is just a plain, ugly design.
Posted by: Carol | December 12, 2011, 4:39 pm 4:39 pm
by that logic anyone going around acting stupid and bullying others must be mimicking American culture in general
Posted by: blah blah blah | December 12, 2011, 4:40 pm 4:40 pm
I think should be a a non-issue. There are some people on the right akin to skinheads who are radical about anything not to their liking. However, I think the design of the building is very unattractive.
Posted by: Ray | December 12, 2011, 4:45 pm 4:45 pm
I think it’s pretty cool looking… very modern / unique. I would have never connected with 9/11.
Posted by: HP | December 12, 2011, 4:48 pm 4:48 pm
I find it very odd that people will rail against the design team of this building but not even lift a finger to read up on the twin towers and building 7 during the day of 9/11. Wake up people, they can design whatever they want, I just hope their government doesn’t bring those towers down like ours were.
Posted by: Steven | December 12, 2011, 4:52 pm 4:52 pm
UM…WTC REALLY? Cool concept but poor execution. this is just like when anyone mentions the name Hitler (good or bad) jewish communities are up in arms over it and the media inundates us with this trash. Sorry Hank Williams JR.
Posted by: rationalamerican | December 12, 2011, 4:54 pm 4:54 pm
Even if it resembles the explosion, here it gives a new meaning and new image for the horrible 9 /11 image. It symbolizes life, continuity..
Posted by: Rima | December 12, 2011, 4:54 pm 4:54 pm
NON SENCE << NO REMORSE<< NO FEELINGS <3
Posted by: lovelace69 | December 12, 2011, 4:57 pm 4:57 pm
There’s no denying that the design would bring back traumatic memories for the USA and especially those who lost loved ones on 9/11. Whatever their reasons, this building doesn’t say much for MVRDV. The firm is either insensitive or non-talented. Ugly design. Worse, yet, is the insensitivity, meanness, and hatred shown by the comments here. May it be the Lord’s will that none of you ever have to experience what, not only US citizens, but citizens from other countries, went through in the twin towers. God Bless the USA!
Posted by: Sandy | December 12, 2011, 5:10 pm 5:10 pm
Who cares? It’s been ten years. Move on.
Posted by: stan | December 12, 2011, 5:12 pm 5:12 pm
Heaven forbid Americans state their opinion. Gee, I wish we could be more like those shy, civilized Europeans. They are so smart and graceful with everything they do!
They should be embarassed of this idea. I think the building is just outright ugly and reminds me of a 1980′s tetris game. This is the 21st century – use your resources and build something beautiful. If you don’t like my comment too bad. I don’t care. I have a right to an opinion and if you are citizen of this country you have the right too and I don’t care what your opinion is. Just know we are entitled to it.
Posted by: JP | December 12, 2011, 5:18 pm 5:18 pm
I would not have seen the comparison until the twin towers were placed alongside. Personally i do not like the amorphous cloud and would have preferred something more symmetrical as a connector. But then what would someone see in that connection? It never ends.
Posted by: Piaffe | December 12, 2011, 5:22 pm 5:22 pm
I can’t see that it looks at all like the Twin Towers disaster. The explosions were on different levels of the two buildings for a start.
I like the cloud concept but agree with others that they look too ‘bumpy’.
Posted by: Librarian53 | December 12, 2011, 5:31 pm 5:31 pm
Great design, not sure what all the anger is about….maybe paint it red, white and blue…stick a few flags on it….there are more important issues happening in your country…like financial meltdown
Posted by: Trm | December 12, 2011, 6:10 pm 6:10 pm
Come on….. you must be kidding me people…… no comparison at all….. really stupid to think such a thing and it doesn’t look the same at all. Get a grip folks….. I lived downtown next to the site so I certainly know it!
Posted by: SKF NYC | December 12, 2011, 6:11 pm 6:11 pm
I don’t see any resemblence to 9/11. The explosions occured at two different floors of the towers, thus the design looks nothing like the explosions at 9/11. Second, why should anyone care about buildings being build in another country? As others stated, the whole world does not revolve around the USA and 9/11, so anyone who is upset at this is just being a bully. Let others build what they want to build. Sheesh! With all this said, I say it’s very ugly design, especially the cloud.
Posted by: GWP | December 12, 2011, 6:11 pm 6:11 pm
Someones been nippin the whiskey a bit too hard. GROW UP. Its been 10 yrs since 9/11.None of us are likely to forget it. But stop trying to shove it down our throats. This new structure is nothing like the 9/11 tragedy. Whoever thinks it is is full of ****. I think it should go up.
Posted by: Diane | December 12, 2011, 6:21 pm 6:21 pm
I think it resembles eerily letter H
Posted by: Ales | December 12, 2011, 6:39 pm 6:39 pm
Seriously? Who thought up this design? And whether it was meant to or not, unfortunately I think it does resemble the 9/11 attacks. Poor Judgement by the architects I would say…..
Posted by: ariagirl | December 12, 2011, 6:39 pm 6:39 pm
As a rule of thumb, once you’ve killed 100 times more people than your enemy, you have to let it go.
Posted by: TCorp | December 12, 2011, 6:42 pm 6:42 pm
What a load of mule excrement ! Headlines make you think that it looks like the twin towers when they were attacked, when in reality it’s just an ugly design that probably won’t ever be built. Wasted five minutes of my useless time reading this crud … dang !
Posted by: Franklin | December 12, 2011, 6:45 pm 6:45 pm
I can see the artistic value in it myself and the Dutch firm says it is meant to resemble a building with a cloud dissecting it which I can easily buy off on. PERSONALLY, there is just no way I could ever see it in person and not be reminded of 9/11. Maybe since it is being designed and built outside the U.S. the artistic value will outweigh the American memories it may evoke. After all the world does not revolve around the U.S.
Posted by: Chris | December 12, 2011, 6:49 pm 6:49 pm
If the ‘cloud’ section was painted/finished to look like a cloud’ it would be pretty cool. As it is shown, it is just ugly imo. Being different for the sake of being different isn’t always a good idea. I also suspect inefficiencies in the mechanical aspects of the building. FAIL.
Posted by: Ben | December 12, 2011, 6:51 pm 6:51 pm
Call me crazy, but I am not seeing the problem here.
Posted by: Suzanne | December 12, 2011, 6:57 pm 6:57 pm
I am an American and a New Yorker who saw the towers attacked on 9/11. I will never forget that day. But I have moved on. But then when I see something like this, it gives me a moment of pause. First of all, I don’t find the building to be attractive at all. Did the architects have 9/11 in mind? I don’t know and really don’t care.
What bothers me is that so many of you, particularly young people, have such a negative view towards Americans. You should never forget that our fathers and grandfathers fought and died to keep Europe free. Who knows where you would be or what language you would be speaking if we hadn’t gotten involved. How many more of your ancestors would have been exterminated if we hadn’t gotten involved. And now, you demonstrate such hate-filled rhetoric. Shame on you.
Posted by: James Everett | December 12, 2011, 8:00 pm 8:00 pm
really?
Posted by: grumpopolis | December 12, 2011, 8:21 pm 8:21 pm
Getting offended at every little thing is really hurting our country’s image. Countries in the world hate us because we whine about everything and dictate what everyone should do. I’ve seen a lot of Americans get upset when people, on an international website, speak their native language. If its not the American way, then it shouldn’t exist. Its incredibly insulting and could be our downfall. Our country has become so self absorbed that it fails to recognize the rights and freedoms of other countries. These buildings are being designed for South Korea. Its not our project or our money or land. Who are we to tell them what to do?
Posted by: Jenny | December 12, 2011, 8:37 pm 8:37 pm
well said.
Posted by: grumpopolis | December 12, 2011, 8:41 pm 8:41 pm
Perhaps the design is intended to reinforce the structures by way of connecting one to the other. Should something happen to one building, people can escape to the other. I think it’s a thoughful design especially with the trees and garden patios. Granted, today, when I first saw it – I, too, thought of the terror attack but realized this joining of the buildings was nearly 1/2 way up…. the design is clearly intended for the security of those in the building. Why all the fuss?
Posted by: Patricia | December 12, 2011, 8:42 pm 8:42 pm
well, maybe 9/11 didn’t revolve around the United States..but the terrorist attacks that took place on 9/11/2001 happened IN the United States and the victims were our citizens or our guests. I don’t recall any airplanes hitting Europe, Asia, Central or South America…Maybe we should build a structure which resembled a mushroom cloud to house the Japanese Embassy? A thumbed nose to represent our former affiliation to England? A youth camp modeled after Aushwitz? A crappy new community called Chernobyl with three legged chickens?
Or maybe the US should stop being overly sensitive by healing at home first…perhaps by ending the aid to foreign countries in times of disasater, letting the Iraqi people be burned, tortured etc by Al Qaida…Letting North Korea kick the snot out of South Korea? Letting Pakistan nuke Israel?
you may not like living with the United States, but you sure couldn’t live without us!!!
God Bless and Merry Christmas!!!
Posted by: john adams | December 12, 2011, 8:47 pm 8:47 pm
Hey, I can see the resemblence. You can’t tell me the architects didn’t see or recognize it. I live on the northwest coast of the u.s.; so, I am very removed from the whole 9/11 hysteria. Personally, I find the so-called ‘living victims’ to be very tiresome. We’ve all lost people we love, some to tramuatic circumstances, some to long-drawn-out illnesses, but we don’t hold the whole of the u.s hostage to our ‘feelings’. I do, however, find the whole design tasteless and agree with John Adams ‘critic. Some things are just global in nature.
Posted by: Cheryl | December 12, 2011, 9:36 pm 9:36 pm
Sometimes a banana is just a banana people, stop the hype and take a chill pill.
Posted by: sheri | December 12, 2011, 9:37 pm 9:37 pm
The buildings look awesome, i approve! whats up America not everyone cares about your feelings being hurt…you hurt the rest of the world in more ways than one…but you don’t seem to care about that…why should someone care about 9/11~!
Posted by: Joe | December 12, 2011, 11:36 pm 11:36 pm
The first thing I thought of when I saw the Cloud was the WTC. To me, it very much resembles the twin towers on 9/11. And to those saying to get over it and move on- no. Go tell that to the people interested in the Civil War, WWI, and WWII. 9/11 is a part of history.
Posted by: LTW | December 12, 2011, 11:38 pm 11:38 pm
I can see why it reminds people of 9/11. And this in turn reminds Europeans that the US is the source of all of their problems. At least, that’s what I get out of these comments. As for the buildings, the “cloud” is the only interesting part of the whole thing. Without it, you’ve got two plain rectangular towers.
Posted by: Dave | December 13, 2011, 12:05 am 12:05 am
good riddance you folks are so one dimensional! anyways, why even bother debating over such bad design? wait wait, only in new york… *rollseyes*
Posted by: KissMyArsenal | December 13, 2011, 12:07 am 12:07 am
Like the Navy building in San Diego that is shaped like a swastika, I suppose they never noticed that, either.
Posted by: Margaret | December 13, 2011, 12:49 am 12:49 am
perhaps if it wasn’t side by side with a picture of the wtc as a plane is flying through it, it wouldn’t bring to mind the image of the exploding buildings on 9/11. just a thought…the first thing that i saw, that came to my mind, was a giant ‘H’. i agree it is really hideous. i also agree that unless you are paying for it, you don’t get a vote. the people commenting against it might better spend their time asking the muslims building the mosque at ground zero, to reconsider such a disrespectful and thoughtless decision.
Posted by: brandon | December 13, 2011, 1:01 am 1:01 am
I am a person affected by 9/11. I think the Dutch design is rather peaceful and elegant. The “cloud” is just lovely. If it was even remotely derived from 9/11, I would think it was in a positive way. Much of art/architecture is derivative, and the designer’s creativity comes from the subconscious, so he/she may have had our Twin Towers in mind subconsciously. It does not feel like a disrespectful act, a slap in the face. I do not feel that it mimics or mocks our pain. It seems entirely new and very beautiful. I may visit it in South Korea. Peace, abundance and sweet sleep everyone, Kris
Posted by: Kris Malloy | December 13, 2011, 2:03 am 2:03 am
And they say that Americans don’t think about life beyond their own borders !!
Posted by: RobertMichaels | December 13, 2011, 12:19 pm 12:19 pm
This certainly resembles the 9/11 attack I can’t believe designers did not notice before publishing the designs. I Feel it is a little insensitive, but regardless the architecture merits of the building are questionable anyway.
Posted by: Ed | December 13, 2011, 2:29 pm 2:29 pm
@ Robertmichaels- Haha, yes! Very good point. :)
After people said that and next to a picture of the WTC falling, it does look similar. But, especially since this is in South Korea (one of the U.S.’s allies), I can’t really see them doing this to us. Although it may not be the prettiest thing, it is very interesting and creative to try to make it look like a cloud around the two towers.
Posted by: M&M | December 13, 2011, 4:06 pm 4:06 pm
I live in NJ and remember the smoke, etc of 9/11 but I would not see the resemblance if it were not next to the picture of the towers. I do not see anything except a very weird looking building. My father was an engineer and he had a great saying: Just because an architect can draw it doesn’t make it good or build-able. Get over this obsession with “political correctness” and not wanting to hurt anyone’s feelings.
Posted by: pksk531 | December 14, 2011, 2:29 pm 2:29 pm