Randi Simon and Stephen Furnstahl of Furnstahl & Simon Architects were very honored to be asked by the Service Employees International Union, Local 32BJ to design a Memorial dedicated to its members lost in the World Trade Center attack of September 11, 2001. It was our chance to remember these men and women and their families and to say thank you to a terrific client. It was also an opportunity for us to create something peaceful and positive in counterpoint to the tragedy.

Constructed in three weeks with Sweet Construction Corporation, the Memorial Wall includes elements originating from locations throughout the United States and Canada. Custom metal/ceramic panels, made of a patented form of stabilized aluminum foam and fabricated by Toronto-based Alusion, are strong yet light and easily maintained. Each of the panels is slightly different from the others - a new and different material is used here to memorialize each of the 24 men and women who lost their lives.

Custom acrylic panels, frosted and etched with the dedication and the names of the 24 Union Members lost, are suspended in front of the aluminum panel wall. The acrylic panels were fabricated in New Hampshire by M. B. Wellington Studio. Designed for exterior use, these panels are durable and easily maintained. The panels are back-lit by vertical runs of low voltage LED lights from Color Kinetics, turning the acrylic panels into beacons at night.

Located at 101 Avenue of the Americas at the edge of the entrance plaza, the memorial is framed by a low granite pedestal. Three flagpoles were added along the street side of the plaza to give further definition to the area of the memorial. The creation of a special place was completed by replacing the granite paving at the base of the memorial with polished River Rocks from Pennsylvania.

The changing play of sun and shadow on the aluminum and acrylic panels, as well as on the river rocks, brings out the rich and varied character and textures of the memorial. The Memorial changes in scale as you approach it - the acrylic panels shifting from a single element to four panels to an intimate engraved memorial. Together, these elements give a quiet strength and dignity to the Memorial.