The state of Minnesota selected LEO A DALY to design the new Minnesota Fallen Firefighters Memorial on the State Capitol grounds to honor the sacrifice of Minnesota firefighters killed in the line of duty.
The approximately 6,000-square-foot memorial incorporates several distinctive design features within a landscaped garden and paved assembly area. The main focal point is a large monolith supported by a grid of steel columns that houses the Minnesota Fire Service Memorial Statue. This bronze, figurative sculpture of a firefighter rescuing a child, which is currently on display at the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport, is lit by natural light through a circular void in the monolith.
The monolith is made of weathering steel, which over time rusts to form a protective coating. The organizing grid of 100 potential pavilion columns embodies a repeating century of years – 10 decades by 10 years per decade. Currently, an incomplete constellation of 83 columns are mapped on the grid, recording the years in which Minnesota firefighters have died in the line of duty. The names of each of Minnesota’s fallen firefighters are inscribed on the columns. The design allows for new columns to be added onto the grid for additional inscriptions in the future.
Also, the memorial ground rises to present approaching visitors with a wall inscribed with names of the 791 fire departments throughout the state. The site’s landscaped garden and paved area provides a space for quiet reflection and contemplation, and also serves as the ceremonial location for large annual memorial services.
Construction of the $500,000 memorial, which was completely funded by Minnesota’s firefighters, will begin in May 2012 and completed by September 2012. BD+C
Related Stories
| Sep 1, 2014
Ranked: Top federal government sector AEC firms [2014 Giants 300 Report]
Clark Group, Fluor, and HOK top BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest federal government design and construction firms, as reported in the 2014 Giants 300 Report.
| Aug 29, 2014
The new College Football Hall of Fame opens in Atlanta
Adjacent to the Georgia World Congress Center and Centennial Olympic Park, the three-story, 94,250-sf attraction is designed to celebrate the traditions of college football.
| Aug 29, 2014
Phifer and Partners to design 'transparent' Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw
The design includes a stage that opens onto the city's Parade Square, so anyone passing by will be able to see performances.
| Aug 29, 2014
China Syndrome: How long will U.S. firms keep milking the Middle Kingdom?
U.S. architecture and engineering firms like Goettsch Partners have been enjoying full employment in China. But will there come a point when Chinese officials—and Chinese designers—say, We can handle this? BD+C's Robert Cassidy digs into this issue.
| Aug 28, 2014
Arthur Platt and Julie Engh to lead AIANY architectural boat tour at BD+C Under40 Leadership Summit
The tour, which will circumnavigate Manhattan, will provide U40 Summit attendees with information about the history and architectural details of numerous buildings visible from the 1920s-era yacht.
| Aug 28, 2014
USGBC, American Chemistry Council join forces to advance LEED
The groups will apply technical and science-based approaches to the LEED green building program.
| Aug 27, 2014
Turkish government orders demolition of residential towers in Istanbul
Citing negative effects to a world heritage site, the Turkish central government has ruled that the recently completed OnaltiDokuz Residence towers must be demolished.
| Aug 27, 2014
Ranked: Top sports facility sector AEC firms [2014 Giants 300 Report]
Populous, AECOM, and Turner head BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest sports facility design and construction firms, as reported in the 2014 Giants 300 Report.
| Aug 27, 2014
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin school of architecture faces accreditation loss
The Frank Lloyd School of Architecture may be stripped of its ability to confer Master of Architects students based on a revised by-law of the Higher Learning Commission.
| Aug 27, 2014
Survey of NCAA athletic directors reveals strong demand for new facilities, fan amenities
More than 80% of college athletic directors plan to make significant investments in facilities over the next five years to target potential recruits and spectators, according to a new survey by AECOM and Ohio University.