Architect David Childs, Designer of One World Trade Center, Dies at 83

Childs, a former chairman of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, passed away on March 26, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of iconic architectural contributions and civic-minded design.

• David Childs, best known as the architect of One World Trade Center, died on March 26, 2025, from Lewy body dementia at his home in Pelham, New York.
• Childs's work on One World Trade Center symbolized resilience and civic values, with its design addressing security, sustainability, and symbolic aspirations post-9/11.
• Beyond the World Trade Center site, Childs played a key role in designing 7 World Trade Center, Moynihan Train Hall, and the Deutsche Bank Center, among other major projects.
• A former chairman of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Childs emphasized balancing form and function, urbanistic values, and the larger civic good in his architectural philosophy.
• The family has planned a private memorial in the coming weeks, followed by a larger public service in May 2025 to honor his enduring impact on urban design and architecture.

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