National treasure: Veterans Memorial and Museum to open in Ohio
by Andrew Manns | 23 Oct 2018
The National Veterans Memorial and Museum, a project championed by the late statesman and astronaut John Glenn, will open on the banks of the Scioto River in Ohio on 27 October.
Conceptualised by architectural firm Allied Works, landscape specialists OLIN, and interiors consultancy Ralph Applebaum Associates (RAA) the museum – which some are calling the country’s latest national treasure – spans 53,000sq ft and includes exhibition spaces, a cafe, and store, as well as a green-roofed sanctuary and walkway where visitors can reflect on the fallen.
"Our design," explained Allied Works principal Brian Cloepfil, "helps to articulate the intention of this new institution through its very form, transforming the land itself into a monument to service and into a community gathering place fostering conservation and commemoration."
Serving as "neither a war memorial nor as a military museum", the NVMM – which has drawn more than $US 82m (€71.5m, £63m) of investment – will focus on the personal narratives and physical memoranda of veterans – letters, photographs, and otherwise.
"Individual stories and shared experiences of veterans will be the heartbeat running through each exhibit," said Colonel Tom Moe, a former fighter pilot in the US Air Force and a long-time supporter of the museum.
"The National Veterans Memorial and Museum is about people," commented Lieutenant General Michael Ferriter, who was recently named NVVM’s CEO and president.
NVMM was commissioned by the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation (CDDC) in 2014.
An act ratifying the museum’s federal status as a civic landmark was officially signed into law by president Donald Trump in June.
national veterans memorial and museum nvmm allied works columbus ohio
Samir Bitar, the NVMM's museum director, said programming would have 'a strong emphasis on inclusive storytelling'. Credit: Photo by Jeremy Bittermann
OLIN headed up the design of the rooftop green space and surrounding tree garden, which they described as 'a sacred space for rest and meditation'. Credit: Photo by Jeremy Bittermann
The National Veterans Memorial and Museum, a project championed by the late statesman and astronaut John Glenn, will open on the banks of the Scioto River in Ohio on 27 October. Conceptualised by architectural firm Allied Works, landscape specialists OLIN, and interiors consultancy Ralph Applebaum Associates (RAA) the museum – which some are calling the country’s latest national treasure – spans 53,000sq ft and includes exhibition spaces, a cafe, and
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