Once the celebrated winner of the World Trade Center memorial design competition, Michael Arad '91 has been relegated to the sidelines by city, state and developmental interests, as his design is being altered into something far removed from his original vision.The biggest change to Arad's design is the proposed addition of a forest of trees to the memorial, an addition that would contradict Arad's conception of the memorial, Dartmouth architecture professor Karolina Kawiaka said.
Other changes include moving Arad's reflecting pools so that they are centered on the footprints of the Twin Towers and removing two of the four ramps entering the site.
"When I talked to [the landscaper architect] he thought the design was a little sparse," said Arad, commenting on the decision to add the trees to the memorial.
Immediately after Arad won the contest, the organizers paired him with a landscape architect and assigned him to work with two architecture firms, Peter Walker & Partners and Davis Brody Bond. Arad also joined Handel Architects, hoping to gain some institutional legitimacy.
The numerous and varied interested parties who have a stake in the site further complicated Arad's vision, including the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, victims' families and downtown residents. Control of the design process is out of Arad's hands, a move which is sacrificing Arad's vision, Kawiaka said.
The blurring of a project's power hierarchy, however, is a common problem when designs are chosen by competition, Kawiaka said. An architect may conceive some stunning vision, but logistical concerns and the public nature of the place may call for drastic changes. "The vision that won the competition is one thing, the reality is another," said Kawaika.
"Void is the strongest expression of loss," added Kawiaka, who believes Arad's design was by far the best entry in the competition. "[Arad] doesn't want to mitigate the absence and adding trees might do that."
While the process may be showing signs of too-many-cooks syndrome, some of those involved say the changes are being made for the better.
"There's a healthy dialogue and differing opinions," Kevin M. Rampe, outgoing president of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, told the New York Times. "I think that's been great. Each brings their unique experience."
Pairing 35-year-old Arad with two highly-experienced architectural firms will be beneficial for the memorial, according to Rampe, who pointed out that the firms bring a wealth of practical experience about engineering considerations while "Michael brings the vision."
While the Times questions how Arad is still in the picture, Arad called the Times report "sensationalistic" and said he remains focused on pushing his original design.
"The fundamentals have not been altered," said Arad, "I'm happy with how it's going. "I know exactly what I want to see here, and it's just a matter of advocating for the memorial," he told the New York Times. "I think people understand that and appreciate it."
Ground breaking at the site is still expected next year, with an opening on Sept. 11, 2009, despite fluctuations in final design plans.
