‘Reflecting Absence’: The September 11 Memorial

Minimalist lighting with monitoring cameras are a part of the design for the National September 11 memorial.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

The names of those killed at the World Trade Center are cut into the edge of the “Reflecting Absence” memorial.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

The unfinished Freedom Tower rises above ground zero and will be 1,776 feet tall when completed.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

The unfinished Freedom Tower rises above the “Reflecting Absence” memorial, which has two 30-foot deep pools in the exact footprint of the original Twin Towers.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Water will cascade down the side walls of the two pools when the memorial is opened.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

The Memorial Museum, part of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum, won’t be opened until Sept. 11, 2012.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Granite benches are positioned around the National September 11 Memorial.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

The Memorial Museum, part of The National September 11 Memorial and Museum, won’t be opened until Sept. 11, 2012.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Two “Tridents,” or steel structures from the original Twin Towers, will be a part of the museum exhibit.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

More than 400 trees have been planted around the memorial.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Visitors walk along the floor of the South Pool.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

The view of the North Pool looking east.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)