Architect's Journey to Create September 11 Memorial

The exclusion of specific personal information by the names carved into the bronze parapets is one of many passionate critiques of the memorial. Yet, Arad hopes that the memorial alters people's perception of public space, reports Tina Susman for the Los Angeles Times.

"For Arad, who was then 32, the sight of city dwellers famous for thick skins and icy stares coming together to share their grief and support one another was an epiphany. He was driven to show that even cranky, crowded Manhattan had the room - and the need - for a place of quiet contemplation. A sort of "urban living room," said Arad, who grew up in Israel and spent a year as a ski bum in Colorado before settling on architecture over his original career choice, law."