National September 11 Memorial and Museum – Reflecting Absence

The 9/11 Memorial in New York commemorates the victims of the 1993 and 2001 World Trade Center attacks, transforming Ground Zero into a contemplative public space. The design highlights the footprints of the Twin Towers, now filled with cascading waterfalls and bordered in copper, with the names of victims inscribed along the edges.

Over 400 oak trees, along with the resilient “Survivor Tree,” define the green spaces, offering a protective canopy and contrasting the monumental water features. The memorial’s lighting—both natural daylight filtering through the water walls and the annual Tribute in Light installation—reinforces the reflective, somber atmosphere.

In our model, built at 1:250 scale, we emphasized the interplay of water, vegetation, light, and materiality. Copper-colored plexiglass recreates the waterfalls, while the contrast between solid and dynamic elements conveys the memorial’s scale and emotional intensity. Shadows, sightlines, and diffuse lighting work together to immerse visitors in a space of remembrance, reflection, and architectural poignancy.