Designed for Reflection
The recently dedicated Boston Logan International Airport 9/11 Memorial, designed by Moskow Linn Architects Inc., Boston, is a place of reflection and remembrance for those affected by the events of September 11, 2001.

In 2003, the Massachusetts Port Authority identified a 2.5-acre site at the airport and held a public design competition to create the Airport 9/11 Memorial. A committee comprised of representatives from the airlines, families of crew members, local design professionals and Massport choose The Place of Remembrance, submitted by Moskow Linn, as the wining design.

From the point of entry for the Memorial, visitors follow one of two winding walkways that recall the flight paths of the two aircraft. The paths pass through a grove of Ginkgo trees that become more densely planted near a glass and steal sculpture called The Place of Remembrance, to create a protective enclosure and to represent how individuals came together, finding strength in the support and help of others that day and after. Once at the glass and steel sculpture, visitors can walk inside it and view two 11-foot-tall glass panels. On the side facing out is the departure time of each airplane. The side facing in is etched with the names of the passengers and crew of each flight.

As visitors gaze upward through a prism, the sky appears fractured by glass panels suspended from stainless steel cables. At night, the sculpture is illuminated serving as a beacon for all to see. Visitors exit the Memorial by returning to the point of departure, where the words “Remember this Day” are etched in granite.

Ipswich Bay Glass, Rowley, Mass., the glazing contractor for the project, installed the 9/16-inch tempered laminated glass for the project, supplied by Viracon. According to project manager Mike Sloan, the glass is ¼-inch clear tempered on both the inboard and outboard lite with a .060 PVB interlayer. The #2 surface features a custom graduated silkscreen.

“Our goal was to create a place at the airport for personal reflection, a place for comfort, and a place of remembrance for anyone whose life was forever changed on September 11, 2001,” says architect Robert Linn. “As architects, when bringing a project from conception to reality, we always attempt to maintain as much of the original concept in the finished project as possible given the realities of site, budget and materiality. In this case, we are extremely pleased that the finished product turned out very close to the original concept we presented to the design review committee,” he adds.

USG
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