Four Seasons Hotel Historic

Replication

Woodward Design-Build entrusted us with the formidable task of replicating hundreds of hand-crafted historical plaster ceiling details for the Four Seasons renovation at the New Orleans World Trade Center, all within a compressed three-week timeframe. Our objective was to swiftly scan and precisely replicate the intricate molding, ensuring the digital models captured the original form and detail while being optimized for fabrication.

We achieved this by scanning the existing elements to a tolerance of 1/64”, producing a “digital twin” of these unique historic pieces. Leveraging this digital model, we utilized both 3D printing and CNC cutting of high-density foam to create accurate replicas at scale.
Our expertise in problem-solving and critical thinking allows us to consistently deliver high-quality results, whether through advanced scanning and modeling techniques or architectural insight.

Designed by renowned modernist architect Edward Durell Stone (famed for Radio City Music Hall, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Kennedy Center), the International House and International Trade Mart was completed in 1967 and dedicated in 1968 to mark New Orleans' 250th anniversary. Renamed the World Trade Center that same year, it became the first such organization globally.

Rising 33 stories above the Mississippi River, this iconic building stood as New Orleans' tallest from 1967 to 1969. Positioned at the base of Canal Street, next to the Mississippi River, it occupied the heart of the commercial district and served as headquarters for the Port of New Orleans. The building’s compass-shaped design aligns with the cardinal points, symbolizing the city's role in global commerce and its connection to the Mississippi.

Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014, the World Trade Center has undergone a meticulous, $500 million restoration, transforming it into the Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences New Orleans. An additional level now includes an open-air observation deck offering 360-degree views of the city and river, celebrating New Orleans' enduring spirit of survival and renewal.

Project Team:

Client // Woodward Design-Build

Building // Four Seasons

Fabrication Team // CICADA & Jimmy Luttrell