An archaic-looking monument stands in the heart of New York. Embedded in a park, granite weighing several tons forms a memorial space in memory of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his speech on the four freedoms.
An archaic-looking monument stands in the heart of New York. Embedded in a park, granite weighing several tons forms a memorial space in memory of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his speech on the four freedoms.
Photo/©Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park/Iwan Baan
Almost a year ago, the time had come: the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park was opened to the public. The designs were drawn up in 1973 and 1974, but due to Kahn’s death and numerous other unfavorable circumstances, they have not yet been implemented. Now, forty years later, the stone testimony of granite blocks weighing tons sits enthroned at the tip of Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York. With millimeter precision, huge granite blocks form an atmospheric space, behind whose walls the skyline of the mega-city is relegated to secondary importance. Instead, the view is of the river, the bridge and the sky. In a tapering park, the visitor is led through avenues and withdrawn from the hustle and bustle of the city. Their attention is automatically drawn to the monument to the speech made by President Roosevelt on the eve of America’s entry into the war in 1941, in which he argued about the moral preconditions for military intervention.
Photo/© Rober Schäfer
Thirty blocks of granite, 3.70 meters high and weighing 36 tons each, are positioned on the north, west and east sides of the platform to create a memorial space measuring just 18 square meters and lined with granite slabs. This opens to the south side to unfold the magnificent panorama of the East River in front of the President’s words carved in stone.
Photo/©Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park/Iwan Baan
Louis Kahn chose the granite for the monument himself. The stone had to be as pure as possible – without inclusions – and have an absolutely homogeneous surface. The architect attached particular importance to the stone surface not being veined in order to achieve the most glistening white-grey surface possible. This is why he ultimately chose the granite from Mount Airy in North Carolina. This quarry is the largest surface quarry in the world. The granite blocks and granite slabs were left as rough as possible in accordance with Louis Kahn’s specifications and were therefore not reworked or only minimally reworked.
Photo/© Rober Schäfer
Read more about the “Four Freedoms Memorial” in STEIN 5/2014.
You can find out more about Franklin T. Roosevelt, his presidency and his famous speech on the “Four Freedoms” on the “Digital Resource” website of the Four Freedom Park at fdr4freedoms.org.
