Michael Arad

Michael Arad is an Israeli-American architect whose work focuses on public memory, civic space, and architectural design. Arad earned a bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College and a Master of Architecture from the Georgia Institute of Technology before moving to New York City, where he began his career at Kohn Pedersen Fox. At the firm, he contributed to major projects, including a mixed-use skyscraper in Hong Kong and a 37-story tower in Miami. After several years at Kohn Pedersen Fox, Arad joined the Design Department of the New York City Housing Authority, where he continued to develop his own architectural concepts.

Arad's perspective on architecture and public space was shaped by his firsthand experience witnessing the September 11 attacks from his East Village apartment. Motivated by the events and the community response, he developed a memorial concept centered on the idea of absence. This concept, titled "Reflecting Absence," was selected as the winner of an international design competition for the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. Arad, then a municipal architect, became a partner at Handel Architects to oversee the project, collaborating with landscape architect Peter Walker.

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum features twin waterfall pools set within the footprints of the original Twin Towers, spanning eight acres. The memorial is recognized for its contemplative approach to public design. The process of creating the memorial involved navigating political challenges, budget constraints, and public scrutiny, including the placement of the names of the 2,983 victims. Arad worked closely with survivors and victims' families to ensure the memorial honored both individual and collective loss.

Arad has received recognition from the American Institute of Architects, including the Young Architects Award and the AIA Presidential Citation, as well as Honor Awards from the AIA and the American Society of Landscape Architects. He also received the Liberty Award for Artistic Leadership from the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council and the Alexander Hamilton Immigrant Achievement Award for his contributions to New York City. Arad was selected to design the "Emanuel Nine Memorial" at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, a tribute to the nine parishioners killed in a racially motivated mass shooting. The memorial features a marble fountain inscribed with the victims' names and curved fellowship benches, reflecting Arad's commitment to spaces of remembrance, resilience, and community healing. He has spoken at universities, civic institutions, and public forums, sharing insights on how architecture can address tragedy and support democratic public life.