Georgia Tech architecture alumnus Michael Arad’s memorial to those killed in the attacks on September 11, 2001, opened to virtually unanimous rave reviews recently.

“Reflecting Absence” is a serene, public space for collective contemplation and remembrance. Two 30-feet deep reflecting pools create footprints where the Twin Towers once stood. The names of the 2,983 people whose lives were lost are etched across bronze panels surrounding the two pools. The placement of each name was determined through family requests and a complex algorithm in order to recognize personal connections among the departed.

The memorial was dedicated on the 10th anniversary of the attacks in September 2011. An accompanying Memorial Museum and pavilion are expected to open in September 2012.

In the eight years since his vision was selected out of 5,201 entries from 63 nations, Arad has revisited Georgia Tech on multiple occasions and will once more to share his experiences with students, faculty, and alumni.