Opinion

Architect of optimism: remembering David Childs and his America

By 2025-04-14T05:00:00

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Chris Fogarty reflects on the legacy of his former colleague David Childs, a mentor and ambassador of American architecture

From my desk, where I’m writing this, I have an extraordinary view looking south over downtown Manhattan. One World Trade Center rises at the heart of it all – simple, powerful, and symbolic.

Its name, and the tragedy associated with it, encapsulate much of the past eighty years of American exceptionalism. Last month, its lead designer, David Childs, passed away.

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