Rebuilding the World Trade Center complex in 3d
The Twin Towers Project (TTP3D) is a detailed digital reconstruction of the original World Trade Center complex, created in Unreal Engine and 3ds Max. Each building, plaza, and sculpture is being rebuilt from authentic pre-2001 references, with accurate 3D models and printable files. This is an evolving work in progress dedicated to preserving the architecture and legacy of the Twin Towers.
The Plan
A precise digital reconstruction of the original Twin Towers complex, built from verified architectural sources and pre-2001 references. Every building, plaza, and sculpture is modelled in 3ds Max and Unreal Engine at full scale, with printable 3D models developed for educational, historical, and creative use which will be at 1:250 scale. The Twin Towers Project continues to grow as each structure is refined and restored in digital form. You can become part of the project by joining us on Patreon.
About The Twin Towers Project (TTP3D)
Rebuilding history in 3D — preserving the architecture, the detail, and the legacy of what once stood.
A Digital Reconstruction of a Lost Landmark
The Twin Towers Project (TTP3D) is a long-term digital reconstruction of the original World Trade Center complex in Lower Manhattan.
Created with 3ds Max and Unreal Engine 5, the project aims to rebuild each tower, plaza, and surrounding structure with architectural accuracy and emotional respect.
We are not creating fiction or re-imagining the skyline; we are digitally rebuilding what once existed, one model and one reference at a time. Every paving slab, sculpture, and window pattern is drawn from authentic pre-2001 photographs, maps, and architectural sources.
The goal is simple but profound: to preserve the visual and structural memory of the World Trade Center complex in a way that anyone can explore, learn from, and appreciate — both digitally and physically through 3D printing.
Why We Began
Like many people, we were fascinated by the Twin Towers long before tragedy gave them deeper meaning. Their design was both bold and elegant — two minimal forms that defined the skyline and symbolised modern engineering.
Years after 2001, the absence of the plaza, the sculptures, and the human scale of the space became a motivation to rebuild, not for spectacle but for understanding.
TTP3D began as a personal exploration: could the original site be accurately recreated in 3D using today’s tools? Could a digital model help new generations see the architectural achievement that once stood there?
That question became a mission. Each model we complete — from Fritz Koenig’s Sphere to the bronze-tinted façades of the towers — adds another piece to a visual record of human creativity, loss, and resilience.
Our Approach: Accuracy, Detail, Respect
We treat every component of the World Trade Center complex as both engineering and art.
Our workflow combines classic architectural referencing with modern 3D production:
- Research & Reference — Hundreds of verified pre-2001 photographs, satellite images, and architectural diagrams are collected and aligned to a shared coordinate system.
- 3D Modelling — Using 3ds Max, each structure is rebuilt at 1:1 scale. Real-world dimensions are converted into centimetres for precision.
- Material Recreation — Textures and colours are recreated using high-resolution scans and photographic tone matching — from the Cor-Ten steel of Cloud Fortress to the polished granite of the plaza.
- Environment & Lighting — The completed assets are imported into Unreal Engine for cinematic lighting, reflections, and atmospheric realism.
- 3D Printing & Physical Output — Scaled-down STL and OBJ files (typically 1:250) are prepared for educational and collector use, allowing the digital work to become tangible again.
This mix of technical discipline and historical care is what defines the project’s identity.
What Has Been Rebuilt So Far
- The Sphere and Fountain: Fritz Koenig’s bronze sculpture and its circular granite base form the heart of the plaza. Both have been modelled at full scale and refined for printing.
- Tobin Plaza Ground Plane: The radial paving pattern, steps, ramps, benches, and drainage geometry have been mapped from satellite imagery and verified photographs.
- The Ideogram and Cloud Fortress Sculptures: Two key public artworks recreated from period images and exhibition catalogues, representing the cultural life of the plaza.
- Peripheral Structures: Work continues on WTC 3–7, including the Customs House (WTC 6) and St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and its adjoining car park.
Each element is being prepared not only for rendering but also as part of a future interactive Unreal Engine environment — a walkable digital plaza that viewers can experience at real scale.
A Living Archive
TTP3D is a work in progress.
The models evolve as new data and imagery emerge. Every update refines proportions, materials, and details. The objective is not speed but accuracy and endurance — to create a reference that will remain useful for decades.
By publishing the process openly through social media and TTP3D.com, we invite others to follow the reconstruction, contribute feedback, and share memories. Transparency keeps the project honest and collaborative.
Architecture as Memory
The original World Trade Center was more than two towers. It was a carefully orchestrated ensemble of public spaces — plazas, fountains, artwork, trees, and sky.
In rebuilding these spaces, we acknowledge the thousands of stories connected to them: commuters, visitors, workers, and those who never came home.
This project does not attempt to replace history; it preserves the physical context of that history so it can be studied and remembered in peace.
Architecture is a language of memory. Through digital reconstruction, it can speak again.
Education and Preservation
One of the long-term goals of TTP3D is educational outreach. The printable 3D models are being designed for use in schools, museums, and historical exhibits, helping people understand large-scale engineering through tangible examples.
Teachers and students will be able to download or print models of the towers, sculptures, or plaza sections, explore them in cross-section, and connect design with history.
By blending heritage and technology, the project demonstrates how digital tools can serve remembrance, not just entertainment.
Charitable Intent
We believe the legacy of the World Trade Center belongs to everyone.
When the project reaches maturity and begins to generate revenue through Patreon, 3D-print sales, or digital exhibitions, a percentage will be directed toward charities that support:
- Firefighters and first responders
- Victims’ families
- Educational initiatives related to architecture and urban history
Our commitment is to ensure that progress in the digital world contributes meaningfully to the real one.
Looking Forward
Upcoming stages include:
- Completing the outer buildings (WTC 4–7) and St Nicholas Church surroundings.
- Texturing and lighting the full plaza for an immersive Unreal Engine walkthrough.
- Preparing the final STL collection for release.
- Building interactive timelines and educational overlays to accompany the models.
Each milestone brings us closer to a complete virtual reconstruction of one of the twentieth century’s greatest architectural achievements.
Join the Journey
TTP3D thrives on community support.
You can follow ongoing progress, renders, and behind-the-scenes development at:
📸 Instagram: @thetwintowersproject
🌐 Website: https://ttp3d.com
🎥 YouTube : coming soon
Patreon: The Twin Towers Project
Every like, comment, and shared memory helps the project grow and stay visible to those who still care about the story of these buildings.
A Note on Respect
This reconstruction is carried out with the highest respect for everyone affected by the events connected to the World Trade Center.
We model, render, and print with accuracy and dignity, avoiding sensationalism or speculation. The aim is remembrance through craftsmanship — honouring design, not tragedy.
In Closing
The Twin Towers Project is more than a technical exercise.
It is a tribute to human skill, ambition, and resilience — a bridge between art and history built from pixels, polygons, and memory.
Every render, every model, every small correction contributes to a digital preservation of something the world lost physically but never emotionally.
By rebuilding the architecture, we help preserve the spirit that built it.