The Circle of Stories: Competition entry for National Native American Veterans War Memorial in Washington DC

Ajay Sethi; Sunil Philip

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The Memorial Service in Detail: (1) The Memorial experience starts at the West Entry where stories of moving and motivating acts are depicted through artworks and vignettes as one moves towards the East Plaza. (2) The East Plaza has the right scale and dimensions to accommodate the various functions of a memorial (Storytelling, Ceremonies), (3) The Wall of Remembrance serves as a backdrop to the stories and ceremonies, and (4) The Personal/ Spiritual space is created within the wetland landscape in a natural clearing free of trees. © PSP Design

Zoning ZONE 1: The East Plaza, The flooring design reflects a dynamic Dreamcatcher pattern. A symbolic gesture that adds a second layer of meaning to the current pattern of rings and orbs. The Tower of Stories (a commissioned artwork), projects stories on the floor and the proposed wall. ZONE 2: The Wall of Remembrance, The wall serves as a backdrop for ceremonies on Veterans Day and Memorial Day. It is built in rammed earth and embedded with wooden blocks that are etched with stories of courage and valour that help create an emotional connect. ZONE 3: The Circle of Stories, The transition into the ring structure allows a journey to the more personal or spiritual, a place for prayer for those who need.The roof of the structure further enhances the effect of the spread-out wings of an eagle, offering protection to all who come here. © PSP Design

There is no place without a story. Every plant, every animal, every rock and flowing spring carries a message. May all your hopes, dreams and prayers, be carried upon the wings of eagles, high into the air and there to fall softly, upon the ears of the great spirit. © PSP Design

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This memorial is designed to tell stories about our warriors in uniform, and to make an emotional and spiritual connect with all who visit. Starting at the West Entry along Jefferson Drive, we weave stories of moving and motivating acts depicted through artworks and vignettes as one moves towards the East Plaza. We felt a meaningful memorial on the grounds of the NMAI was best achieved by re-purposing the East Plaza which has the right dimensions to serve the various functions we set out to accommodate.

The re-purposed plaza and a proposed Wall of Remembrance become a place to tell and read stories. The centre of the Plaza is imagined with a tall light sculpture that projects stories on the surrounding floor and walls. The Plaza also becomes a place for ceremonies on Veterans and Memorial Day when more people gather to pay their respects.

Lastly, to move from the public domain into the more personal or spiritual, a place for prayer for those who need, we propose a small pavilion that sits in the wetland landscape and allows one to journey into a personal space with small private nooks overlooking the wetlands. The landscape is undisturbed and adapts to this new visitor as it sits gently on the ground. The roof of the structure spreads its wings over the plaza in a protective embrace.

The whole experience is designed to promote immersion, reflection and closure, all in harmony with the building and landscape of the Museum.