The United States World War One Centennial Commission has announced its selection of Joseph Weishaar, a 25-year-old architect from Chicago, and Sabin Howard, a sculptor from New York, as its choice to design a new World War I monument, set to be constructed in Washington D.C.’s Pershing Park.
The project, titled “The Weight of Sacrifice,” will feature a wall depicting war scenes and a new statue meant to honor General John J. Pershing.
About the project, the design team writes, “Each cubic foot of the memorial represents an American soldier lost in the war; 116,516 in all. Upon this unified mass spreads a verdant lawn. This is a space for freedom built upon the great weight of sacrifice.”
They continue, “Above all, the memorial sculptures and park design stress the glorification of humanity and enduring spirit over the glorification of war.”
Rendering courtesy of World War One Centennial Commission
The walls will feature quotations that will “guide visitors around the memorial through the changes in elevation, weaving a poetic narrative of the war as described by generals, politicians, and soldiers. “
The new memorial, which was authorized by congress last year, is expected to cost between $30 million and $35 million. The commission has raised a total of $1 million so far.
The updating of the 1.8-acre Pershing Park, which this new project will be a part of, has not been smooth sailing, however. Opponents of the remake, like Charles Birnbaum, of the Cultural Landscape Foundation, say the current design of the park should be preserved, or at least incorporated into the new design, according to DCist.
Meanwhile, proponents say the old park has become dilapidated and in need of an update. Even though a design has officially been selected, there are still a few barriers to overcome, as multiple historic preservation organizations still need to give their OK, Construction Dive reports.
At just 25 years old, this project represents a huge opportunity for Weishaar.
Rendering courtesy of World War One Centennial Commission
Related Stories
| Oct 23, 2013
Architecture Billings Index hits seven-month high in September
AIA's Architecture Billings Index was 54.3 in September, the highest level since February 2013
| Oct 18, 2013
Meet the winners of BD+C's $5,000 Vision U40 Competition
Fifteen teams competed last week in the first annual Vision U40 Competition at BD+C's Under 40 Leadership Summit in San Francisco. Here are the five winning teams, including the $3,000 grand prize honorees.
| Oct 18, 2013
A picture’s worth a thousand words… if you can find it
Photographs are becoming more essential to project communication and documentation. Recently, I sat in a local airport integration project meeting in which the owner outlined their expectation for construction documentation. One of the first requirements was to provide photographs throughout the building process.
| Oct 18, 2013
Researchers discover tension-fusing properties of metal
When a group of MIT researchers recently discovered that stress can cause metal alloy to fuse rather than break apart, they assumed it must be a mistake. It wasn't. The surprising finding could lead to self-healing materials that repair early damage before it has a chance to spread.
| Oct 18, 2013
Call for submissions: AIA Emerging Professionals Summit essays
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is seeking essays that will address what role architects will play in society in 2033.
| Oct 16, 2013
5 secrets of successful entrepreneurs
If you’re on the outside looking in, successful entrepreneurship may seem mysterious. But it isn’t. Here are five patterns of behavior that are common to successful entrepreneurs.
| Oct 15, 2013
High-rise Art Deco courthouse gets a makeover in Amarillo, Texas
Recognized as one of the most significant Art Deco courthouses in Texas, the Potter County Courthouse is modernized and restored to its 1930s aesthetic.
| Oct 10, 2013
Behind the scenes at the U40 Summit: See the $5,000 U40 Vision competition in progress [slideshow]
Sixty-five up-and-coming AEC leaders are battling for $5,000 in prizes today at BD+C's Under 40 Leadership Summit in San Francisco.
| Oct 10, 2013
Arthur Gensler to architects: Don't give away your ideas
The founder of Gensler advises dozens of up-and-coming AEC professionals at BD+C's Under 40 Leadership Summit in San Francisco.
| Oct 9, 2013
From power plant to office: Ambler Boiler House conversion
The shell of a 19th-century industrial plant is converted into three levels of modern office space.
