The memorial is perhaps the most important yet most difficult element of the re-building effort. Rather than thinking of it as an isolated contemplative space within the site or as a traditional iconic object, we have conceived of it as a "precinct" or a "zone". The events of September 11 affected not only the victims and their immediate families, but the city as a whole and the society at large. The number and diversity of lives randomly thrown together in this tragedy, and the impossibility of recovering the remains of so many of the victims, compelled us to think of a memorial that could accommodate the multitude of thoughts and feelings that will be projected onto, and taken away from this place. It is designed not to have a specific narrative program; rather to be open to evolving interpretation and accumulation of insights about the event.

The memorial contains six major elements:

• The "Outer Ring": a zone surrounding the site, which defines the limit of the memorial (the boundaries of the zone were largely inspired by the Fire Department map showing locations of victims and extent of damage).

• The "Mound": an inner precinct and contemplative garden.

• The "Dispersed Field": permanent and temporary "markers" which may have personal significance, like shrines (some, perhaps, created by artists, others by victims' friends and family) .

• The "Crossroads": a symbolic public meeting place, the metaphorical coming together of the world.

• The "Global Communicator": individual teleconference screens linked to counterparts throughout the world.

• The "Testimonial Walls": a place for storing the feelings and thoughts of the visitors.