Submitted by Elif Merve Unsal

16 years later, the city unveiled a new memorial for 9/11

United States Architecture News - Oct 19, 2017 - 06:09   16343 views

16 years later, the city unveiled a new memorial for 9/11

"It’s a memorial built to withstand the test of time. Like glass, it is timeless and unaging, a fitting memorial for a place from which so many responded to tragedy by coming together as one to bear witness." says Tina Gallo from SCHOTT, the manufacturer of the glass used in design. 

It has been 16 years since the attacks of September 11, 2001. But for millions of Americans, the memories of that day are still fresh. Hoboken, the town across the Hudson River from New York, lost fifty six of its own residents on September 11, 2001 which makes the city home of the highest rate of fatalities and 16 years later, the city officially unveiled a permanent memorial to those killed in terrorist attacked on the anniversary of the event. 

After several years of delays due to disagreements regarding design and budget, Pier A Park which lines up with the site where the twin towers once stood was selected by city officials as the site of the new memorial because Hoboken host a 9/11 interfaith memorial gathering every year here. 

16 years later, the city unveiled a new memorial for 9/11Glass Panels. Image © AIA NY

16 years later, the city unveiled a new memorial for 9/11Image © Turner Construction

16 years later, the city unveiled a new memorial for 9/11

During Night. Image © Matthew Trinity

The memorial designed by Demetri Sarantitis, a resident and architect based in Hoboken, NJ. The memorial which lines up with the site where the twin towers once stood aligned along the pathway in the park. It is made up fifty six laminated glass panels represent each of fifty six victims; each panel is engraved by the names and birth years of the victims of the September 11 attacks. 

Sarantitis also worked with engineers to design special battered stainless steel bracket assemblies that allowed the panels to be mounted with the edges and corners exposed. These glass panels mounted it to the steel base. The memorial surrounded by trees will be lighting up during night. 

Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer said: "I’m really proud and we have been working really hard to ensure we have a beautiful peaceful memorial for the people of Hoboken." The memorial is part of Pier A’s open layout and can be visited at any time. 

Here are the other important memorials of 9/11 placed in the city:

16 years later, the city unveiled a new memorial for 9/11

In 2002, the Tribute in Light was the first major physical memorial at the World Trade Center site. Image © Getty Images

16 years later, the city unveiled a new memorial for 9/11

In 2011, The National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center designed by Handel Architects opened. Image © Flickr / Wally Gobetz

16 years later, the city unveiled a new memorial for 9/11

In 2011, Empty Sky Memorial in New Jersey designed by Frederic Schwartz Architects opened. Image © Epoch Times

Top image © Demetri Sarantitis