In Memoriam
Memorial Day allows our nation to honor and mourn the men and women who have given their lives in service to our Unites States Armed Forces. Many of these lives were lost during times of war. One of the most impactful war memorials is the Vietnam Memorial designed by Maya Lin. When visiting the National Mall in 2017, I was struck by the thoughtful simplicity of this memorial. In this post I share three aspects of the design that resonated with me and made a lasting impression, as any memorial should.
Context
From the National Mall, the Vietnam Memorial can be overlooked. The sunken monument disappears into the ground and takes a secondary role among more celebrated monuments from American history. This roles seems to be a suiting analogy as the Vietnam War was politically controversial and less discussed, at least in my high school history class. The angle of the monument walls point towards the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. The scale of the path is narrow compared to grand stairs or the large expanses of pavement found in other parts of the National Mall. It makes people slow down and creates a personal connection between individuals and the wall. It is a place set apart from the crowds - a private space to reflect on the consequence and dissonance of war. Monuments often are set apart in this way. However the siting of the Vietnam Memorial the landscape makes the monument feel open and private even in close proximity to one of the most popular tourist attractions in Washington DC.
Material
Maya Lin selected a resilient and responsive material for The Wall. The Vietnam Memorial consists of 144 black granite panels engraved with the names of people who died or were missing in action during the Vietnam War. The 58,320 names etched into the smooth granite seem to disappear in the rain, just as our tears for those we've lost blend together into a shared sorrow. Looking beyond the names, it is easy to see reflections if ourselves - refocusing our thoughts on why the Vietnam War began. On a typical day, the highly polished surface creates perfect reflections of the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument.
Form
Simplicity is key. The Wall engages with the landscape with a simple angled excavation towards the mall and a slight incline built up to the top. The path seems to be a scar in the lush landscape, just as wars are scars in our history. Scars slowly heal, but the mark remains - a reminder of lessons learned. The depression and absorptive vegetation create a quiet space. The noise and foot traffic of the National Mall sail over the depression and are lost in the grass and surrounding trees. The crux of the angle is a surprisingly private space. Small gestures in the overall simple form make the space function as well as it looks. The overhang of granite panels creates a shadow over the water management system below. The recessed lights in the path emphasize the simple form without detracting from the monument during the day.
Maya Lin’s full story and inspiration in designing this monument are well worth reading. These simple take-away’s made a lasting impression and will impact my future design efforts. Stay curious as you visit traditional sites. There is more to discover in well designed and executed details!
