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On Thursday, March 4th, the World Trade Center Transportation Hub in Lower Manhattan officially opened to the public. The hub replaces the PATH train station that was destroyed during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which — if you'll recall — was rather a long time ago. Indeed, over 12 years in the making, the new train station is symbol of both governmental waste and architectural excess. Its centerpiece is the Oculus, a mind-boggling glass-and-steel structure designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava to look like a dove in flight, but it actually more closely resembles a pair of ragged claws, scuttling across the sands of Lower Manhattan.
Critics have blasted the hub for its massive cost overruns ($4 billion in public money) and lack of anything resembling a traditional train station (ticket machines, clocks, maps). But its existence is significant, if only because the hub represents the type of ambitious open spaces that used to exemplify public transit in the US. Grotesquely expensive, sure. Tough on the eyes, no question. But at least we all get to share in the spectacle.
Source: The Verge
Name: [Unpronounceable]
Powers: Reality Manipulation, Surrealism, Insanity
Origin: The Oculus is a traveler from another world. That much is evident from his strange speech and horrible psychic abilities. Other than that, not much is known about him. When the Craniad invaded Earth, he was a high-ranking general in the evil brain's alien army. After the Craniad was driven off, the Oculus, for whatever reason, was left behind. His motives are foggy, at best, but he has shown moments of compassion, unwilling to kill Meta-Girl when ordered to by the Craniad.
Current Affiliation: The Oculus is currently a member of the Kamikaze Krew, although it is unknown how long this arrangement will last.
This is the oculus inside the pantheon in Rome. When it rains, it just pours inside this 27 foot diameter hole. drains were designed to take the rain, pretty impressive to this day.
bruder klaus kapelle, germany, completed 2007.
architect: peter zumthor, b.1943.
the open skylight reflects the shape of the plan, which in turn reflects the movement of the visitor.
more zumthor.