The architect who created the master plan for the reconstruction of the World Trade Center was at Penn State yesterday, where he participated in two lectures and was honored by the university.

Daniel Libeskind gave two talks yesterday, one at the Outreach Building in Innovation Park, as part of the Common Ground Lobby Talk series, and another in the Schwab Auditorium.

Penn State's Institute for Arts and Humanities honored Libeskind, presenting him with the second "Institute for the Arts and Humanities Medal for Distinguished Contributions to the Public Advancement of Arts and Humanities."

Libeskind, who said "architecture is art on a civic scale," discussed his plan for Ground Zero, his earlier architectural work, and even an idea for a redesigned piano with WPSU's Patty Satalia in his first lecture.

Libeskind's path to master plan of the reconstruction site went through a serendipitous route.

He was originally recruited to serve on the panel of judges that selected the master plan, but couldn't because of another responsibility. Later on, someone suggested he enter instead. He did, and won the competition.

Libeskind said juggling all the different entities that had a hand in the project was a difficult task. His job was "socially and politically difficult," he said, but a lot of progress has been made.

According to Libeskind, the people designing the site "used to fight over big things," like where to put buildings. "Now we fight over inches," he said.

Libeskind said making the memorial a central part of the project was important to him.

"I've always thought that architecture is a storytelling profession," he said. "It had to tell the story of that day."

Satalia asked Libeskind about his other projects, which include designing the set for a Berlin opera and creating a new style of piano, which he said Elton John and Prince are ordering.

For now, Libeskind's most important work is in architecture, which he called a "very ethical profession."

"My clients are the people of New York, the people of America, and the people of the world," he said.