Final answer:
William Van Alen designed the Chrysler Building, the world's tallest building in 1930, famous for its Art Deco style and opulent spire. The correct answer is option d.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Chrysler Building was constructed by William Van Alen, making it the correct response to the question of who designed the world's tallest building in 1930 in New York City. This iconic building is a classic example of the Art Deco architectural style, characterized by its lavish ornamentation and streamlined composition. At its completion in 1930, it briefly held the title of the tallest building in the world. The Chrysler Building stood out not just because of its height but also due to its distinctive design features, such as the opulent spire that captures the essence of the era's design aesthetics.
Architects like Cass Gilbert, who designed the Woolworth Building, and Frank Lloyd Wright, known for the Guggenheim Museum, are noteworthy for their contributions to American architecture, but it is William Van Alen who is credited with the design of the Chrysler Building. Though Frank Lloyd Wright was a renowned architect, he did not design the Chrysler Building. Similarly, Craig Severance was also an architect, but not the one behind the Chrysler Building's design. As for the first skyscraper, the Home Insurance Building in Chicago is often cited as such, but it was designed by William Le Baron Jenney, not Van Alen.
Therefore, the correct answer to the question is d. William Van Alen.