Cesar Pelli and William Pedersen, Architects of the world’s tallest buildings, discuss skyscrapers in the global city.
In Hong Kong, architects Cesar Pelli and William Pedersen of KPF have designed supertall skyscrapers and commercial centers—one completed, the other in construction—that rise over train stations and mass transit hubs. These towers and others that are now, or will be, the world’s tallest buildings pose possible models for downtown New York.
On the evening of Monday, May 5, The Skyscraper Museum sponsored a symposium featuring William Pedersen of Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates and Cesar Pelli of Cesar Pelli & Associates. The architects presented their supertall towers in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and other global cities and reflect on their experiences with mega-developments in relation to rebuilding in Lower Manhattan. A discussion with Alex Garvin, Lower Manhattan Development Corporation Vice President for Planning, Design & Development, follows the architects’ talks.
As design principals of their internationally renowned firms, Pelli and Pedersen are responsible for buildings that are now or are projected to be, the world¹s tallest towers. The current record holders, the twin Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, designed by Mr. Pelli, measure 450m (1483 ft.) to the top of their stainless steel spires. The World Financial Center in Shanghai, designed by Mr. Pedersen, scheduled for completion in 2007, will rise to 492m (1614 ft.).