WTC
Memorial Site Design Concept
Sept 11, 2001 is a moment in time that bridges two ages.
One has already been lived and is now history. The other has yet
to unfold. 9/11 is the bridging moment between the two.
There is a profound
need in America both to honor those who died in acts of terrorism on that
day, and from these tragic events to find a way forward into what hopefully
will be a world changed for the better, by our awareness of these events
and from the choices we make today.
Memorial Bridge and Crucible
To capture this concept in a simple but elegant design,
I suggest a white bridge over a crucible, a chalice-like vessel made of
black marble. The crucible rises out of a still pool of water.
Within the chalice cup, inscribed in gold, are the names of the victims
of this tragedy. Over the inner surface of the crucible, flows a
thin film of water that drains into the center, and down into a silent
pool at the base of the stem.
The names, listed
alphabetically, face inward so that they can be read by those who crossing
the bridge, pause and look down on them from the center of the bridge that
extends outward in turret fashion.
The bridge and crucible
will create a still center point of easily recognized simplicity that will
stand out like a pearl within the shell of the larger, dramatic, contemporary
architecture of the surrounding buildings.
Graphics
Overview showing position of memorial within site
Threshold: the resting place for unidentified victims
Situated at the base of the Sept 11 Place access ramp
(NW corner), the entrance or gatehouse to the memorial site and bridge
will house the remains of the unidentified victims. It will in essence
offer a somber yet peaceful threshold and archway into the sacred space
of the site itself. A raised pathway leads onto the memorial bridge
and over the crucible that contains the names of those who died.
The exterior wall facing
the access ramp will mirror the lines of the museum, reflecting them on
its entrance side. Over the length of the building, these angular
lines will be transformed into rounded, fluid shapes ending in the rounded
arch of the exit side.
The entrance wall has
two doorways that honor the shape of the two towers. The exit side
has a single arched doorway that leads out to the memorial bridge.
The white tubular
upright beams of the threshold structure, reminiscent of cathedral columns,
will support glass window paneling, infusing the interior with natural
light. The building itself will be light and transparent, offering
the remains of the unidentified victims a worthy resting place
Graphic showing building holding
unidentified remains (threshold) in relationship to museum
Use
People coming down the Sept.11 Place ramp enter into the
threshold space that holds the remains of the unidentified victims.
Walking through the open corridor of the threshold building offers the
visitor transition time to leave behind present concerns and enter the
memorial space in a more attuned and receptive state.
They exit the threshold
onto the pathway leading to the memorial bridge. There they will
be invited to walk across the bridge in silence, remembering or praying
for those who died, reflecting on the future hopes of mankind and the choices
required for a more peaceful world.
On the bridge is
a turret where people can stop, look down at the names of those who died,
pause to find the name of a family member or loved one, reflect on the
events and the memories, and then in their own time more forward.
The memorial bridge opens
onto a forked pathway, one path leads towards the liberty wall on which
will be a mural/abstract of hope, symbolizing our desire for a better world
for our children.
Taking the path to the
right offers the visitor a chance to pause in front of the dry garden that
composes the footprint of the south tower. This area landscaped in
the style of the Zen stone gardens is “grassed” with white gravel, carefully
raked and groomed, and “planted” with significant building stones or objects
recovered from the towers.
A resting contemplative
site will be established on slightly raised areas within the grounds offering
the visitor a quiet overview of the sacred space. Others who need
some time alone can also walk under the bridge, along a Grieving Path,
that circles the crucible.