MEMORY AND ART.

The goal of this University led competition was to award the design and construction of an on campus memorial to a young, unlicensed, designer. The young professional selected would then partner with a local firm to complete the necessary design documents and project management tasks. I was awarded the project in 2012 but due to management shifts within the University, the project did not begin construction until 2017. I was wholly responsible for the design and construction documentation package along with the help of my former mentor and employer, Garrett Smith. After his retirement in 2014, the project was passed on to R2 Architects In Albuquerque who helped to bring the project through to fruition. During this time I continued my role as lead designer and consultant. 

Supported by a pre-cast concrete bench, each stainless steel rod is laser engraved with the names of those honored. By  allowing visitors to wander around and sit upon the concrete form, the site, once an empty planter, became more engaged and the memorial itself, a functional work of art. 

Being that the concrete fabricator selected had never completed a project similar in scope, I personally worked with Castillo Pre-stress to develop the process and documentation necessary for completion of the job. Multiple meetings and back and forth between myself and the owner using different techniques, software, and deliverables, we finally had a plan in place. The three (3) ten foot long concrete forms were each sliced into twelve inch wide sections which were fabricated using 20 pound EPS foam. Once the foam form was assembled, it was sanded and sealed with an EPS coating. Once cured and removed from their forms, the concrete pieces were core drilled, on a bed of sand, using a steel ‘rod locator’ template provided by myself. Embedded in each piece were 2 steel plates which would later be welded to 6 columns already installed on site. The 75 laser engraved rods were then installed. 

The project was officially unveiled to the public and stakeholders in 2019.

DESIGN CONCEPTS | THEMES:  Heartbeat, EKG Pattern, Life, Useable Art 

Project Data