The work of Santiago Calatrava is characterized by biomorphic imitation combined with engineering thought, an approach that has made him one of the foremost and renowned architects of contemporary times. The architect employed principles of symbolic imitation and historical resonance. The main form, in this project, for imitation was taken from the icon of the Virgin Mary with a Child, which the architect skillfully transformed into the silhouette of a church, while the idea of geometric analysis of the Virgin's Face with a halo inspired the creation of the plan. The principle of historical resonance is ubiquitous in the project, from the orientation of the church and adherence to liturgical traditions to the incorporation of distinctive elements from existing cultic objects of Byzantine sacred architecture.
On the other hand, the architect did not overlook modern challenges and needs. By utilizing advanced technologies and creativity, the author and his studio adeptly use light to emphasize important elements of the structure in the interior and create a unique appearance of the church from the outside during the dark hours of the day. Indeed, the illumination of the church at night is another idea of imitating the church candle as a symbol of God's presence.
Functionally, the church is equipped not only with liturgical spaces but also with areas that will serve the community and as a memorial to the tragedy of September 11. These volumes are harmoniously integrated by the western façade and have important visual connections with the Park of Freedom and the memorial complex itself. St. Nicholas Church in New York should be singled out as a successful example of the symbiosis of tradition, modern technologies, and the author's creative approach.
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Wired New York (2013) St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.
Architectural Digest Homepage (2022) St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine Finally Opens, and the Design Doesn’t Disappoint.
Religion Unplugged (2023) New York’s St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church An Ode To Greek Immigration.
The New York Times (2022) St. Nicholas (the Church) Has Come to Town.
Saint Nicholas Church (2010) OUR STORY.
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DLR Group (2022) Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine Tour.
Philip Jodidio., (2020). Calatrava. Complete Works 1979-Today. Taschen.
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Saint Nicholas Church (2021) Hero of Saint Nicholas - August 2021 Recipient
The Daily Standard World News (2024) Greek Orthodox church at World Trade Center reopens at last
Spectrum News News 13 (2022) Greek Orthodox church at World Trade Center reopens at last
File:Flight 11 Wheel 1.jpg (2007)
Metabunk (2013) Debunked: WTC Towers Fell in Their Own Footprints
Linkedin (2016) World Trade Center...on top of the World
Milimetdesign (2022) St. Nicholas Church - New York, NY design by Santiago Calatrava
Wikipedia(2022)St. Nicholas Chapel October 1st 2022.jpg
Michele Herrmann (2023) The history of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
IL Giornale Dellarte(2021) Il marmo dell’Acropoli per la chiesa di Calatrava
SARA NY Design Awards (2023) Special Award for Innovation in Institutional Design
FIELD CONDITION (2022) St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine
The Holy Greatness of Lviv (2022) In New York, a church rebuilt on the site of the destroyed shrine near the World Trade Center was consecrated