St. Nicholas Church receives Special Award for Innovation in Institutional Design

“St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine is emblematic of Lower Manhattan’s storied future and defining past,” said architect Santiago Calatrava. The Church was the only religious structure to be destroyed on 9/11; now it becomes a National Shrine at the World Trade Center site. St.Nicholas Church is situated 25 feet above street level, and serves as a beacon of hope. It is composed of a circular domed church flanked by four towers, This shape was inspired by a mosaic in Hagia Sophia. Inspired by Byzantine architecture, and full of symbolism, the Church made from Pentelic marble, provides a sequence of spaces that respects the tradition, but reflects the time we live in.