The World Trade Center Transportation Hub, often referred to as the Oculus, is more than just a transit station; it’s an architectural masterpiece and a symbol of resilience in downtown Manhattan. Designed by the renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, this structure has become an iconic landmark, attracting visitors from around the globe. Its soaring white ribs and breathtaking interior spaces offer countless photographic opportunities, making it a favorite subject for architecture enthusiasts and casual photographers alike.
The Oculus stands as a freestanding structure at street level, gracefully positioned along the southern edge of the “Wedge of Light” plaza, as envisioned in Daniel Libeskind’s master plan for the site. This plaza strategically connects a series of green urban spaces, stretching from City Hall Park to Battery Park, and including the poignant WTC Memorial gardens. The hub serves as a crucial link, seamlessly integrating into the urban fabric of New York City.
Interior view of the World Trade Center Transportation Hub Oculus, showcasing its soaring white steel ribs and spacious concourse.
The structure’s defining feature, the Oculus, is an arched, elliptical marvel, stretching approximately 350 feet in length and 115 feet at its widest point. Reaching a height of 96 feet above grade at its apex, its structural steel ribs dramatically extend upwards, resembling outstretched wings reaching for the sky. These ribs culminate in a pair of canopies that impressively rise to 168 feet. The sheer scale and ambition of the design are immediately captivating, offering stunning perspectives for photographers seeking to capture its grandeur.
Entering the Oculus through the east and west nodes, located at Church and Greenwich Streets, visitors are greeted by symmetrical stair landings and cylindrical glass elevators. Descending to the Upper Concourse level, the elliptical interior space dramatically unfolds, measuring approximately 400 by 216 feet. This vast, column-free expanse provides access to major subway lines (MTA 1, R, and E), connections to Towers 2, 3, and 4, and various retail spaces. The play of light and shadow within this level, coupled with the dynamic lines of Calatrava’s design, offers compelling photographic compositions.
Further exploration leads to the Concourse level, the primary retail area, which provides pedestrian links to the Fulton Street Transit Center, PATH Hall, Brookfield Place, and Liberty Street. From this level, 160 feet below the apex of the 330-foot long operable skylight, visitors can fully appreciate the breathtaking column-free span above. Calatrava himself describes the form as evoking “a bird released from a child’s hands,” a metaphor that resonates with the sense of freedom and hope embodied by the structure. The open skylight, a key feature, bathes the interior in natural light, creating a visually striking and uplifting environment, perfect for photography.
Interior view of the Oculus showcasing the grand scale of the space and the architectural staircase design.
The Mezzanine level, located west of the MTA 1 Line, is dominated by the expansive 65,000 square foot PATH Hall. Its 290-foot long vaulted steel ribs rise 35 feet above the floor, supporting the WTC Memorial gardens above. Natural light permeates this level through floor openings, creating an airy and inviting space even underground. The West Street Concourse, extending along the northern edge of the Mezzanine level, connects the Hub to Brookfield Place, further showcasing the interconnectedness of the transportation network.
Interior perspective of the World Trade Center Transportation Hub, highlighting the mezzanine level and connection to the PATH station.
The sculptural form of the World Trade Center Transportation Hub is a result of the repeated use of structural steel ribs, which not only unify the complex but also bring a sense of dignity and beauty to the underground spaces. Glass panels nestled between the ribs allow natural light to flood the facility, a powerful symbol of hope and renewal. Calatrava considers light a fundamental structural element, describing the building as supported by “columns of light.” At night, the illuminated Oculus transforms into a radiant lantern in the rebuilt World Trade Center site.
Interior view looking upwards towards the Oculus skylight, emphasizing the height and light-filled space.
Each year on September 11th, and on temperate days, the Oculus’s skylight opens, allowing a direct beam of sunlight to enter the building, a poignant reminder and a symbol of remembrance, echoing the Pantheon in Rome. This architectural gesture further enhances the hub’s symbolic significance and provides a unique photographic opportunity.
Exterior view of the Oculus facade, showing the intricate detail of the steel ribs and glass panels.
The World Trade Center Transportation Hub is not just a functional transit center; it is a destination in itself. Its breathtaking architecture, symbolic meaning, and the abundance of natural light create an awe-inspiring space that demands to be photographed and shared. Whether you are an architectural photographer, a tourist, or a New Yorker, the Oculus offers endless opportunities to capture stunning images and experience a truly unique landmark.
