911 Memorial Design Submission
In keeping with America’s plans to fill the World Trade Center space with a Memorial
commemorating those who died on September 11th, 2001, the New York Arts Magazine
called for a submission of 911 Memorial designs. On the following page you will find
the essence of my concept which received the only full page spread in the October
2002 International Issue of New York Arts Magazine (Vol .7 No. 10).
My design revolves around the 3 main attack areas of that day:
Shanksville, Pennsylvania - for me, represents the core of the attack on America
- its land. (see image 1)
the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, displays the protective outer rim of that land.
The attack on it is symbolic. It represents an assault on America’s defence systems
(see images 2 and 3)
New York's twin towers. As this was the major impact area of the attacks, I use it
as the outer shell of my Memorial design. The World Trade Center attack saw itself
as infliciting a “moral” impact on the nation - through an assault on the commercial
subsistence systems of the United States . Though the initial shock value was great,
the intensity of it only strengthened the nation’s resolve. I therefore focus my
attentions on highlighting the ultimate symbol of American determination - its flag.
I have it rising ever higher over the symbolic debris which ironically forms a base
upon which the nations strengths are rekindled, rebuilt and re-strengthened. (see
all other images)
Visitor experience
Visitors are invited into the womb of the Memorial, surrounded by scenes of the September
11th event. A darkened and sloped walkway, tunnelled by twisted and hanging beams,
leads visitors ever deeper into the cataclysm that was September 11th, 2001. The
goal? To revisit the intensity of that day.
From this heavy experience visitors are led eventually to a silent center filled
with light - the core area of the Memorial - an open grassed-in space of American
soil. It is surrounded by 5 still strong granite defense walls of a Pentagon shaped
enclosure. Within this interior, the engraved names of those who died on that fateful
day are displayed on the outer walls. The inner walls are open to the center field.
And from that open grassed area at the center of the Memorial, a massive flag pole
rises 1500 feet up the center of this experienced pain and into the light of the
sky. It is at this point of meditation and reflection that visitors are reminded
of what they have - They have a surviving freedom. And through this grandiose expression
of hope and dreams, visitors are made aware of a never to be forgotten element of
that freedom : When tested, a nation’s strength and integrity can only depend on
individual and collective pride - a pride which can and will withstand forever any
and all attacks upon it.
Exiting the memorial, visitors encounter an open air park, with seating areas for
reflection. Fountains in strategic placement whisper a calm return to everyday life
whilst reminding visitors of their experience within the Memorial and of the fateful
day when freedom and resolve were sorely tested.
Bernard Poulin To view design
