from September 11th News.com: What the new New York skyline will look like once Libeskind's design comes to fruition.

But what critics do agree upon is his design for New York City's new Twin Towers. The design has been called the "architecture of the spirit and emotions" in its use of space and lack, thereof. Ever mindful of the tragedy that occured on September 11th, 2001 and the victims which perished at the site, the design was viewed as the perfect balance between the city's need to move forward and rebuild and its residents' need to remember, honor, and mourn. Libeskind himself called the design both "a place of mourning" and "forward-looking, optimistic."

from September 11th News.com: Libeskind's plan (computer-generated)

Libeskind's towers represent the spirit, tenacity, and renewal of New York City in the face of tragedy and terrorism. The main tower will both surpass the height of the original trade center, which at 1,350 feet were briefly the world's tallest, and Malaysia's Petronas Twin Towers which currently stand at 1,483 feet as the tallest buildings in the world. Of the 9 proposals submitted, Libeskind's design is said to have been favored by New York's Governor George Pataki and NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, perhaps because of the defiance and spirit of courageousness it boldly represents.

from September 11th News.com: Libeskind's plan (computer-generated)

Not a stranger to accolades, Libeskind was the first architect ever to have received the Hiroshima Art Prize which honors artists who promote peace through their work. It is then not surprising why this promoter of peace, this forerunner of innovation and progression, would be chosen to rebuild America's beloved World Trade Center.

One World Trade Center: Freedom Tower

July, 2006; An update:

Due to various factors, including funding strain, some differences in the overall vision of what the site should ultimately become, and pressure from various dueling entities on all levels, real estate investor Larry Silverstein ultimately handed over some of the rights to the Freedom Tower building to the Port Authority in April of 2006. Likewise, the design of the Freedom Tower was given to a new set of architects at SOM (Skidmore, Owings and Merrill).

Nevertheless, Daniel Libeskind remains in control of the grand plan for the rebuilding of Ground Zero, which includes much more than the widely-discussed Freedom Tower. From the 9/11 memorial, to 7 stories of underground infrastructure which includes underground transportation, an ocean of offices (10 million square feet, to be exact), a new park, and even new city streets, Libeskind still holds one of the greatest roles in the redesign and rebuild of what may be the world's most talked about construction project, or as Libeskind refers to it: "the rebirth of lower Manhattan."

He feels that too much emphasis has been placed on the Freedom Tower, particularly by the foreign press, and that likewise, the vastness of the project has been shadowed by the controversy and conflicting interests and opinions regarding one portion of the reconstruction. Although he admits that releasing control of the Freedom Tower to another architect has been difficult for him, the magnitude of the whole project and the overall vision he holds for the site, has kept him incredibly busy and pleased, nevertheless.

Although things have changed somewhat in recent years, Libeskind is still a key player in the rebuilding of the World Trade Center site and will forever hold a place in history as one of the greatest architects the world has ever known.