Speak, Memory

edited by Sheila Kim -- Interior Design, 12/1/2003 12:00:00 AM

The World Trade Center Site Memorial Competition, the largest design competition in history, drew 5,200 submissions from 63 countries. The Lower Manhattan Development Corporation narrowed the choices down to eight. Finalists range from artists, architects, and exhibit designers to students completing their undergraduate studies.

Competition guidelines, set forth by family members, residents, survivors, design professionals, and community leaders, called for delineation of the tower footprints, recognition of each individual killed in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, and February 26, 1993, and a resting place for unidentified remains.

The 13-member jury, which includes Vietnam Veterans Memorial architect Maya Lin, Public Art Fund president Susan Freedman, architect Enrique Norten, and artist Martin Puryear, will make a final decision by the end of the year. Until then, the finalists are on view at the adjacent World Financial Center's Winter Garden.