David Wiborg ’88, a designer at Cambridge Seven Associates, was among the 84 semi-finalists recognized in the international design competition for a memorial to the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the Pentagon in Washington, DC.
More than 1,100 entries, the creations of artists, architects, designers, and the general public, were submitted for this two-stage open competition, run by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Competitors were challenged to create a memorial to the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the Pentagon. A site near the point of impact on the Pentagon’s west facade was selected for the Pentagon Memorial.
From October 30 through November 9 David’s design, “Honoring The Spirit,” was on display at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.
David’s design transcends spiritual or religious thought and emotion in an accessible haven and sanctuary that offers places for visitors to gather, reflect and seek new strength and positive resolve. David’s design consists of four main elements: a Freedom and Remembrance Garden, a Living Wall, a Reflecting Pool and a Glass Volume containing a replica of the giant garrison American Flag that was hung to the right of the damaged area of the Pentagon after the attacks.
The memorial is to express the U.S. government’s official response and to embody the personal tragedy that the events of that day visited on the families of the victims. The winning design will be chosen from a lot of six finalists by a panel that includes professional architects, two former secretaries of state, and victims’ family members.
