Wells Fargo Tower vs 7 World Trade Center

Comparing the Wells Fargo Tower and the 7 World Trade Center is compelling because they were both designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, yet they stand in different cities (Los Angeles, CA and New York, NY), and were completed over two decades apart.

What this will allow us to see, is how the same firm's approach adapted to different places in different periods of time.

These two towers present an interesting contrast in their proportions. The 7 World Trade Center rises higher at 741ft (226m), while the Wells Fargo Tower reaches 722ft (220m). However, the Wells Fargo Tower accommodates more floors with 54 levels above ground, compared to 51 floors in the 7 World Trade Center.

This suggests different approaches to interior space design. The 7 World Trade Center has an average floor-to-floor height of approximately 4.4m, while the Wells Fargo Tower has more compact floors averaging around 4.1m each.

These different proportions likely reflect the specific needs each building was designed to serve, whether driven by zoning regulations, client requirements, or the intended use of the spaces within. The contrast shows how architects can achieve different spatial experiences even when working with similar overall building scales.

The Wells Fargo Tower was designed in the Postmodernism style, while the 7 World Trade Center reflects the principles of Contemporary.

At the time of their completion, both styles were well established. This makes the comparison especially interesting, because both buildings represent a dominant aesthetic at a particular point in time.

Built 23 years apart (1983 vs 2006), these two buildings are a perfect example of how different architectural styles have shaped the architectural landscape of our cities over time.

Both the Wells Fargo Tower and the 7 World Trade Center were designed to serve as commercial towers, and that has remained their main use since their completion, serving similar roles in the urban fabric.

Both the Wells Fargo Tower and the 7 World Trade Center rely on a Frame structural system.

A frame structure uses a grid of columns and beams to carry the building's loads. This frees the walls from structural duties, allowing for flexible floor plans and larger windows.

They also employ the same type of facade, a Curtain Wall facade.

A curtain wall is a non-load-bearing facade hung from the structural frame. It is anchored to floor slabs and transfers only its own weight and wind loads, allowing for sleek, glassy exteriors.