National September 11 Memorial
by Fisher Marantz Stone

(In memory of the September 11 tragedy illumni is reposting the National September 11 Memorial project by Fisher Marantz Stone).

In downtown Manhattan, the National 9/11 Memorial opened on the 10th anniversary of the 2001 tragedy. Through collaboration and persistence, a glimmer of solace and peace has surfaced in the midst of a highly bureaucratic and emotionally arresting project that was conceptualized by one, orchestrated by many, and created for all.

“A very powerful installation where light forms a strong contrast to the despair of the dark void,” commented one judge on the final result.

After extensive studies and select site visits around Manhattan, the designers were able to dissuade city officials that the initial 5 footcandle requirement for the plaza was excessive. In the finished project, both the horizontal and vertical illuminance is .5 footcandles. For a project fraught with challenges and restrictions, the lighting vocabulary is relatively simple, as only three fixture types light the project.

Custom pole fixtures, aligned with the landscape grid, feature an up-down lighting component with four T8 lamps behind a stack of prismatic refractors. Humane and gentle illumination of the visitors was the principal challenge. Equally important was to provide adequate vertical illumination for the security cameras. The two fountains, set in the original footprint of the towers, are discrete upon entry. Granite pavers and the rhythmic hymn of cascading water lead visitors to the threshold of the south pool.

Collaborating closely with the manufacturer, over 1,500 feet of submersible LED luminaires, driven at 24 volts with an internal water cooling technology, are mounted beneath the waterfall at the base of each pool. The falling water dances in the light, creating a powerful reflection that oscillates between celebration and sorrow.

CREDITS

THE NATIONAL SEPTEMBER 11 MEMORIAL
NEW YORK, NY USA

LIGHTING DESIGN:
PAUL MARANTZ, FIALD
ZACK ZANOLLI
CARLA ROSS-ALLEN
BARRY CITRIN, IALD
FISHER MARANTZ STONE

ADDITIONAL CREDITS:

ARCHITECTURE:
MICHAEL ARAD

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
PETER WALKER AND PARTNERS

CLIENT
THE NATIONAL SEPTEMBER 11 MEMORIAL & MUSEUM

CONSTRUCTION MANAGER
THE PORT AUTHORITY OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY

PHOTOGRAPHY
© CARIDAD SOLA PHOTOGRAPHY
© THE PORT AUTHORITY OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY
© FISHER MARANTZ STONE