In Memoriam: David M. Childs

David M. Childs; headshot via the Architect's Newspaper

David M. Childs, the Skidmore Owings & Merrill (SOM) architect best known for realizing One World Trade Center (WTC) and working with developer Larry Silverstein after 9/11 to rebuild Lower Manhattan, passed away on March 26 in Pelham, NY, outlets including the Architect’s Newspaper (AN) report. He was 83 years old. Silverstein said “no single individual was more responsible” for successfully rebuilding the WTC as Childs. A native of Princeton, New Jersey, Childs also created NYC landmarks 7 WTC, Worldwide Plaza, the New York Mercantile Exchange, the John F. Kennedy International Airport Arrivals building, the Bear Stearns (now JPMorgan Chase) headquarters (HQ) and Park Hyatt hotels. With projects all over the world, his work on NYC’s Moynihan Train Hall “marked a full circle,” the AN observed. After earning his master’s degree in architecture at Yale University in 1967, Childs moved to Washington, D.C., where he met SOM Founder Nathaniel Owings. Childs started the firm’s D.C. office and designed the masterplan for the Washington Mall and Constitutional Gardens, HQ for National Geographic and U.S. News and World Report; numerous hotels; and the expansion of Dulles Airport’s main terminal. In 1984, Childs became a senior design partner at SOM’s NYC office.

Get more of Elevator World. Sign up for our free e-newsletter.

Please enter a valid email address.
Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.

SDSU PARKING ELEVATORS OPERATING WITH EXPIRED PERMITS

SDSU Parking Elevators Operating With Expired Permits

Grone

NEII Congratulates Grone on Retirement

SCHINDLER REFLECTS ON 2025 CHALLENGES, REWARDS

Schindler Reflects on 2025 Challenges, Rewards

Techno International Airport; image courtesy of Otis

Otis Provides 118 Units for New Cambodia Airport

Kennedy

In Memoriam: John Lee Kennedy

The renovation features new escalators and more; image courtesy of Robins & Morton.

Huntsville Airport Renovation Includes Vertical Transportation

ALIMAK’S 3Q RESULTS SHOW “RESILIENCE IN A CHALLENGING MARKET”

Alimak’s 3Q Results Show “Resilience in a Challenging Market”

ROBUST SERVICE AND MODERNIZATION BUOY KONE IN 3Q

Robust Service and Modernization Buoy KONE in 3Q