A Perspective On Memorials

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     The most important factor to consider when designing a memorial is how it forces a perspective/effect upon the visitor. At its core, a memorial should act as a tangible representation of the significance of what it commemorates. A memorial of a national hero should evoke a sense of pride and awe for their accomplishments and character. For example, the Lincoln Memorial is designed to resemble the Parthenon (a temple in Greece), relating both the level of reverence we should view Lincoln with and connecting him to the birthplace of democracy. On the other end of the spectrum, memorials to tragedies or wars should foster an environment of reflection and mourning for the deaths that occurred. The Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C has a reflective wall where the names of all the deaths are carved, creating a personal connection between the viewer in the present and the soldier's sacrifice in the past.

The Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C

The location of a memorial should also contribute to the effect that memorial has, either through the relationship between the land and the memorial, or the historical significance of the land/area the memorial is built. A powerful representation of the importance of this relationship is the 9/11 Memorial Pools, located at the sites of the Twin Towers. The location has obvious importance and having the 2 pools sit on the site of both towers makes their absence obvious, with 2 large indentations in the ground where massive skyscrapers would’ve been. When visiting the site, I noticed that the area sounded considerably more peaceful than the surrounding city. I later learned that this was due to the design of the monument, the waterfalls drowning out the noise of the city, making the location conducive to contemplation and reflection. This relationship with the surrounding area enhances the experience, supporting the idea that location is an important factor to consider when creating a memorial.

The 9/11 Memorial Pools in New York City


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