Design for World Trade Centre memorial chosen

Architect Michael Arad's 'Reflecting Absence' was chosen on Tuesday as the winning design for the World Trade Centre memorial.

Two reflecting pools form the centre of the design that will be a tribute to the victims of the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001.

A 13-member jury chose Arad's design from among more than 5,000 entries submitted to the competition run by the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation.

Arad's original design was revised and the modified version would be made public next week.

The memorial will occupy the footprints of the WTC fallen twin towers and include the names of all the victims of the attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.

Also remembered are the victims of the 1993 terrorist bombing of the WTC that claimed six lives.

Arad's plan envisages water flowing down the walls of the footprints into reflecting pools and then a void at the WTC, evoking feelings of emptiness and loss.

Ramps descend the perimetre of each pool, with the walls of water falling behind a parapet engraved with the 2,982 victims' names.

"I am very honoured and overwhelmed by the news that the jury has selected my design," Ared said in a statement. "I hope that I will be able to honour the memory of all those who perished, and create a place where we may all grieve and find meaning."