DAVID MICHAEL LIEB, AIA , NCARB

1
DAVID MICHAEL LIEB, AIA , NCARB
WTC MEMORIAL COMPETITION 2003
Memorializing human life has been a challenge
throughout history. In the late 18th Century,
monumental structures became the language of
identifying and remembering fallen soldiers and
even great scientists.   The WTC memorial site
has presented numerous challenges as any
structure or structures proposed must somehow
reconcile the events of 9/11 but also speak to
the current masterplan of Studio Daniel Libeskind
which itself offers many opportunities for
memorializing the victims of 9/11, for example,
the Liberty Wall, the waterfall feature, the
slurry wall feature, September 11th Place, and
the new structures that span the North and South
Tower footprints.   Concept Two square walls
adjacent to the demarcation of the North and
South WTC footprints define a cenotaph to the
towers themselves and to the thousands of victims
killed in the terrorist attacks of 9/11. The two
walls are steel framed with colored, brushed
aluminum panels, and translucent colored, glass
panels defining a collaged surface and a mosaic
by which visitors can reflect on the diverse
peoples killed and affected by the collapse of
the WTC. The walls width is in-line with the
existing width of the WTC towers, the height
matching the width. The walls will stop light and
allow colored light to shine down on surfaces of
the site untouched by natural light for decades.
The complex shadow patterns will be ever changing
allowing visitors and family members to
experience and contemplate around the walls.
  The LMDC has asked that the unidentified
remains of victims of the 9/11 attack be brought
back on site and contained for family members to
visit and contemplate in a private setting. A
cubic structure penetrates a tilted wall,
representing scar, but elevated to indicate the
lifting of spirit. A broken circle acts to
support the wall and allow a unique place for
contemplation. The cubic structure acts as a tomb
allowing access only to family members and
survivors. A skylight allows light to enter into
the tomb by day and illuminate the inner chamber.
At night light from within the structure shines
up and out of the tomb serving to signify
re-birth and remembrance.
2
DAVID MICHAEL LIEB, AIA , NCARB
Steel cables span from the corners of the two
walls and are anchored at the top of the Wall of
Freedom to indicate the resiliency of the human
spirit. At special occasions and on the
anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, membrane panels
can be fastened to the cables allowing the site
to be shrouded and for special contemplation.   Th
e existing footprints of the North and South WTC
towers are respected in the design for the
memorial site. Each footprint would be paved in
unpolished gray, granite pavers, square in shape,
with split faces. The intent of the split faces
is for visitors who venture onto the footprints
to be conscious of their experience through
feeling the surfaces where the Twin Towers once
stood.
3
DAVID MICHAEL LIEB, AIA , NCARB
4
DAVID MICHAEL LIEB, AIA , NCARB
5
DAVID MICHAEL LIEB, AIA , NCARB
6
DAVID MICHAEL LIEB, AIA , NCARB