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911 Memorial Proposal
Proposal: #0167
New Jersey September 11, 2001 Memorial
Gary DiBenedetto - Conceptual Developer
Peter Bonette - Lead Design Landscape Architect
Kate Aicher Wright - Team Assistant
Overview
The September 11th, 2001 attacks caused insurmountable pain and grief in the hearts of the nation. It is with great respect and compassion for the New Jersey families of the victims that we present this proposal. Deeply sorrowed by their loss, we wish to contribute a memorial that will convey the humanity of the victims for future generations. Our goal is to symbolize both the bereavement and the ultimate triumph of love over violence and terror. We propose an interactive memorial leading the observer through multiple levels of experience. We believe the many-layered elements of this memorial will offer returning visitors differing challenges of perception and resolve.
Concept
The concept of the layout is a compressed timeline of events and emotions. First, the concept of the dark time of actual “hate” striking us; second, the mystery of death and escape as the towers collapse; and third, the aftermath of healing and carrying on. The final phase is an audio presentation of the individual dreams that society and surviving family must attempt to fulfill.
The Entry & Spearhead Walkway
The visitor enters the memorial site through two 25 foot high black granite walls that taper to 12 feet in height. The enclosing space becomes narrower with every step. Standing between the two black granite monolithic walls, the visitor senses the enormity of the destruction and loss of life. The walking surface is a deliberately random array of red paving materials- assorted brick, glass, colored concrete and steel. The spearhead form of the walkway becomes apparent as it increasingly narrows toward the plaza ahead. The entire granite walled space is designed to underscore the feelings of darkness and terror that followed immediately after the attack. Forming a doorway at the far end of the granite wall are suspended artifact beams recovered from the ruins of the World Trade Center. The beamed archway marks the culmination of the feelings evoked by the granite-walled path.
The Memorial Plaza
Once the visitor exits the walled entry, the spectacular view of the NYC skyline is completely revealed. The circle of the memorial plaza, representing wholeness of life in America, is designed to be a place for public gatherings and memorial services. The surface of the plaza is a pattern formed of contrasting light and dark granite paving stone. A bas relief map of New Jersey is laid in the granite plaza as a pertinent visual reminder for visitors of the many New Jersey towns that were affected by the loss of their residents on 9/11. The plaza circle, now unobstructed by the black granite walls, is split by the spearheaded walkway pointing directly to the WTC site and the future site of the Freedom Tower. Framing the view at the far end of the plaza are two square, off-center black granite obelisks, each approximately10 feet high and fitted with high-intensity upward light beams designed to be visible from NYC. The obelisks are inscribed with inspirational quotes and flanked by the flags of New Jersey and the United States. Their location marks the endpoint of the spearhead.
Audio Ribbons of Remembrance
Standing in the center of the Memorial Plaza, the visitor observes a seemingly endless number of sculptured stainless-steel memorial ribbons radiating from the plaza circle. The layout of the ribbons celebrates the continuation of the dreams of the victims by those left behind. As a nation or as an individual, we are defined by whom we have lost. The ribbon memorials are a chance for each visitor to celebrate and re-affirm the importance of a victim’s life, as well as add meaning to that victim’s death. Each ribbon will have a granite base inscribed with a victim’s name. The ribbons are approached by the visitor from radiating brick walkways. Besides their function as a sculptural remembrance, a recorded message will be associated with a victim’s ribbon. Each family will have the opportunity to designate a member of the family or use a spokesperson to record a brief message describing the aspirations and dreams of a loved one lost in the tragedy. This recording will be delivered through a weatherproof speaker, which is located inside the Ribbon of Remembrance. While standing in front of a ribbon a visitor’s presence will automatically trigger the transmission of the recorded message. The message will play through its entirety, pause, and commence again at the arrival of the next visitor. By listening to the lives and dreams of those lost, each visitor becomes a part of carrying on those dreams, their own life now forever affected.
The visitor’s audio experience will change as the number of people at the site changes. With many people present at the Ribbons of Remembrance, the acoustic ambience will first be audible as one walks through the main black granite walled entrance. The murmurs of background voices from ribbon recordings create an atmosphere that would reflect the voices of the victims. By moving to a specific Ribbon of Remembrance, the experience becomes an intimate interaction of listening solely to a family’s memorial recording.
During the day, sunlight reflecting off the sculptured stainless steel ribbons will add movement to the site. At night, the down light mounted in each sculpture will be visible from the river and the waterfront of New York City. The light from the multitude of ribbons will reflect across the water and forever connect the New Jersey site to the site of the tower’s destruction.
Area of Rest and Contemplation
In contrast to the granite-walled path, the visitor may choose walkways along sides of the main entry. The reverse sides of the granite walls will be designated as Walls of Remembrance. These spaces are intended as areas of private contemplation, with seating and locations for mementos. Visitors seeking a quiet place for solitude, meditation and prayer could use this area. The visitor is removed from the activity of the main pathway, surrounded by a protective grove of deciduous trees, shrubs and groundcover. Included in this area are touch sensitive interactive information areas, where visitors will be able to find basic historic materials as well as a directory with each victim’s name and the location of their Ribbon of Remembrance. The materials used in this area are the same throughout the memorial site, designed to be long-lasting and durable enough to survive harsh site conditions and site’s millions of visitors. Additionally, the entire memorial site is designed to be completely accessible.
Conclusion
A complete understanding of the tragedy is not possible. However, the attack brought the country together in a profound recognition of the heroism, selfless sacrifice and courage of our firefighters, law enforcement, and the medical community. Civic groups, businesses, and churches as well as Liberty State Park personnel and the Family Assistance Center, played vital roles in providing consolation in an emergency of overwhelming magnitude. Our goal is to promote a lasting reconciliation between the past and the present.
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