Overview
Each year on September 11, sunlight moves across the World Trade Center site in alignment with the timeline of the attacks of September 11, 2001.
This symbolic phenomenon known as the Wedge of Light was envisioned as part of architect Daniel Libeskind’s 2003 “Memory Foundations” master plan for rebuilding the World Trade Center. This was the plan that was originally selected by the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC) to be the site plan for rebuilding the World Trade Center site in February 2003.
Today, visitors can experience this alignment through the design and orientation of the Oculus, where light enters through the skylight and moves across the floor between the times the Twin Towers were struck and collapsed.
WHAT IS THE WEDGE OF LIGHT?
The Wedge of Light is a symbolic architectural concept designed to connect memory, time, and space through sunlight.
In Libeskind’s original vision for the rebuilt World Trade Center, public space would be shaped by the sun’s angles on September 11 between the time of the first attack and time of the collapse of the second tower:
8:46 AM -- when the first plane struck the North Tower
- 10:28 AM -- when the North Tower collapsed
The alignment was intended to create a meaningful relationship between light, remembrance, and the surrounding city.
As part of the World Trade Center redevelopment, the concept of the Wedge of Light helped shape the orientation and geometry of public spaces across the site.
The Oculus and the Path of Light
The World Trade Center Oculus was designed as a light filled space at the center of the transportation hub.
Its orientation and central skylight align with the symbolic path of sunlight associated with the Wedge of Light concept. On September 11, sunlight enters through the glass panels of the skylight and moves across the Oculus floor during the times connected to the attacks.
As the light travels through the space, it illuminates two parallel columns of light that reference the original Twin Towers and the moments that changed the skyline of Lower Manhattan forever.
The movement of light through the Oculus transforms the transportation hub into a place of reflection, remembrance, and connection.
WATCH THE STORY
In 2025, a social media video explaining the Wedge of Light and the Oculus alignment captured widespread attention online, introducing millions of viewers to the symbolism embedded within the World Trade Center site.
Discover how architecture, sunlight, and remembrance intersect at the World Trade Center.
EXPERIENCE THE WEDGE OF LIGHT
Visitors can experience the Oculus and the Wedge of Light year-round, with the most symbolic alignment occurring annually on September 11.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes. The concept was part of Daniel Libeskind’s original “Memory Foundations” master plan for the redevelopment of the World Trade Center site.
The Oculus orientation and skylight reflect the symbolic alignment associated with the Wedge of Light concept.
Yes. The symbolic alignment occurs annually on September 11 and the Oculus can be visited year-round.
The movement of light serves as a symbolic reminder of remembrance, resilience, and renewal at the World Trade Center.
The phrase originates from the World Trade Center master plan developed by Studio Daniel Libeskind in 2003.