Frank Gehry's updated design for a new Dwight D. Eisenhower memorial in Washington, D.C., has been approved by the Eisenhower Memorial Commission, reports the Washington Post.
The commission voted unanimously to approve the $110 million project, which has been gestating for 14 years and has been the subject of a fair amount of controversy, including vocal objections by some members of the Eisenhower family. The memorial will be built across the street from the National Air and Space Museum, a few blocks from the U.S. Capitol.
To win the commission's approval, Gehry tweaked the design of statues depicting Eisenhower as a young man, a World War II general, and president. A bas relief that had been removed from the design was restored, and excerpts from Eisenhower's celebrated Guildhall Address—delivered in the wake of the allied victory in Europe—will also be included.General P.X. Kelley, who chairs the commission's advisory board and who helped oversee development of the Korean and WWII memorials, called the updated design "spectacular."
Gehry offered prepared remarks before the commission, saying he has "spent the last four years immersed in Eisenhower's words, and the words of those who have shaped how history will define him." The architect said that new imagery, including the D-Day landing at Normandy and Eisenhower signing the Civil Rights Act of 1957, was added in part to respond to concerns by family members and other critics.
Related Stories
Architects | Feb 19, 2015
Illustrator Federico Babina imagines architecture from nowhere
The illustrator imagines architecture where past, present, and future intertwine.
Codes and Standards | Feb 18, 2015
USGBC concerned about developers using LEED registration in marketing
LEED administrators are concerned about a small group of developers or project owners who tout their projects as “LEED pre-certified” and then fail to follow through with certification.
Multifamily Housing | Feb 18, 2015
Make It Right unveils six designs for affordable housing complex
BNIM is among the six firms involved in the project.
Office Buildings | Feb 18, 2015
Commercial real estate developers optimistic, but concerned about taxes, jobs outlook
The outlook for the commercial real estate industry remains strong despite growing concerns over sluggish job creation and higher taxes, according to a new survey of commercial real estate professionals by NAIOP.
Museums | Feb 18, 2015
Foster + Partners' National Museum of Marine Science and Technology breaks ground in Taiwan
The museum will be home to an aquarium, exhibition space, and waterfront views.
University Buildings | Feb 18, 2015
Preparing for the worst: Campus security since Virginia Tech
Seven years after the mass shootings at Virginia Tech, colleges and universities continue to shake up their emergency communications and response capabilities to shootings and other criminal threats.
Office Buildings | Feb 18, 2015
Why the mobile workplace isn't always mobile
Perkins+Will’s Janice Barnes addresses the nuance in mobility types and explains the importance of defining terms upfront.
University Buildings | Feb 17, 2015
BD+C exclusive: How security is influencing campus design and construction
Campus crime—whether real or perceived—presents Building Teams with more opportunities for early-stage consultation with university clients.
Architects | Feb 17, 2015
Architecture billings dip in January, severe weather likely to blame
“This easing in demand for design services is a bit of a surprise given the overall strength of the market over the past nine months,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker.
Multifamily Housing | Feb 17, 2015
California launches pilot program to finance multifamily retrofits for energy efficiency
The Obama Administration and the state of California are teaming with the Chicago-based MacArthur Foundation on a pilot program whose goal is to unlock Property-Assessed Clean Energy financing for multifamily housing.
