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AZ Veterans Memorial
Chandler, AZ
The Arizona Veterans Memorial in the City of Chandler was design by landscape architecture firm Kimley Horn who was responsible for the civil engineering, landscape architecture, and electrical engineering. The 2.5-acre site features an upper and lower plaza containing various representations that honor veterans of every military branch and includes a field of illuminated plinths that are designed to match the exact ratio of the American flag.
Leading from the parking lot, this signage area features backlit aluminum letters on a 3' wall. A single Cascalote tree found at the center of this space was added for its unique form and branching pattern common to the local sonoran desert. Plaques on the wall behind the tree honor donors from the first phase of the project.
Artificial turf covers the surface of the lower area and was used because of its low maintenance requirements, especially in the desert climates. A 60-year-old sculpture of a F-86D Sabre Dog Jet was recollected from a different location within Chandler. Special care was taken to relocate and restore it into its new location. The lower level is enclosed by a poured-in-place concrete wall that varies in height from two to six feet. Interpretive panels are positioned along the wall. Each panel tells military stories which are unique to Chandler, honoring local veterans.
There are 114 total plinths, 50 that make up the star portion of the flag and 64 in the stripes. They are constructed of a vandal resistant composition and hold up well to UV rays. The pillars range from small cubes that are three feet and under to larger plinths that stand up to 10 feet tall. The height changes with the ripple or flow of the ground plane. Just inside the walls are seat wall benches made of poured-in-place concrete. Lacebark elms are adjacent to the seat walls.
The focus of the lighting design was to emphasize the cubes and plinths and deemphasize other lit elements. To accomplish this goal, the Landscape Architect used internal LED lighting with the vertical structures, which can be programmed to change based on special events and seasons. The artificial turf is laid out in landform rolls or ripples to emulate an American flag blowing in the wind.
Paving on the upper level includes a recycled glass aggregate called lithocrete. A patter was integrated into the paving to imitate the Arizona state flag which is completed with the star shaped wall at the center of this section. The planting palette contains Mulga Acacia, Lacebark Elm, purple three awn, agave and blue bells. Approximately 20 native tree species were carefully salvaged and relocated adjacent to the memorial to create space for it.
Ramps, found on both corners of the upper level, are composed of concrete, and are designed to resemble rammed earth and give a feeling of layers of time. Brass emblems along the walls facing the lower level represent each branch of the military.
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Nestled on the southwestern corner of the 112-acre Veterans Oasis Park in Chandler, Arizona, the Arizona Veterans Memorial spans 2.5 acres and stands as an immersive and impactful tribute to the past, present, and future veterans of the Southeast Valley. Meticulously designed by Kimley Horn, this memorial, known as the "Field of Honor," is a space that honors veterans and serves as an educational resource and a contemplative haven for all.
The project was commissioned by the City of Chandler who envisioned a distinctive and reflective space to honor its veterans. According to the Landscape Architects with Kimley Horn, this was no ordinary task as it was challenging to create a memorial that seamlessly integrated with the naturalistic feel of the existing Veterans Oasis Park while providing a unique and atmospheric setting. Through a series of workshops and collaboration with local veterans groups, the firm embarked on the journey to translate this collective vision into a tangible and deeply meaningful design.
The City of Chandler initiated the project with a clear vision, to recognize its veterans in a unique and reflective space. The design process was collaborative, involving workshops with the city and local veterans groups. Beginning its journey in 2009, the main memorial grand opening took place on Veterans Day in 2021, with ongoing improvements and phases, including signage and veteran recognition, still in development.
The lower level of the memorial is a ground-level representation of the American Flag. Illuminated plinths of varying heights map out the flag's stars and stripes in a rolling landform, a reflection of the flag rippling in the wind. Cubes, signifying soldiers in formation, rise and fall into the earth, symbolizing the profound journey of soldiers going off to war and returning home. 21 of the cubes are submerged paying homage to the twenty-one-gun salute for soldiers who did not return.
In the upper level, an elevated plaza opens up, overlooking the lower memorial. Here, a star-shaped design, reminiscent of the Arizona state flag, is embedded into the paving. This upper-level star also embodies the metaphor of loved ones watching over soldiers while they are away, representing the War Mother's Service flag.
The upper plaza is paved with a recycled glass aggregate called lithocrete, which was designed in three levels to symbolize the national, state, and local components. The star-shaped element, a visual focal point, is crafted with integral-colored concrete, resembling rammed earth. Eleven illuminated bollards are strategically placed at the memorial entrance. The steps leading to the lower level feature a unique half-circle design at the bottom, adding an extra layer of
architectural intrigue.
To overcome the challenges of maintaining natural turf in the harsh desert environment, artificial turf was chosen for the lower level. The walls surrounding the site are constructed from concrete, poured in lifts to resemble rammed earth, standing at two and a half feet tall. The walls contain various interpretive panels that each tell a unique military story. Their inclusion in the project helped establish a connection between the memorial's narrative and the community of Chandler.
The illuminated plinths and cubes, engineered from a vandal-resistant product, stand as silent sentinels, their heights ranging from three to 10 feet, following the undulating landform design. Benches, serving as moments of contemplation, are crafted from poured-in-place concrete, and adjacent Lacebark Elm trees add a touch of greenery.
The parking lot, an integral part of phase one improvements, is adorned with plants like Prosopis hybrid, Cascalote, red yucca, ruellia, and bush morning glory. This space leads to a signage area which introduces the memorial. Backlit aluminum letters display "Field and Honor" over the concrete wall. At the center of this space, the Landscape Architect placed a Cascalote tree as this species has a unique form and branching pattern that evokes the Sonoran dessert. Plaques along the bordering wall narrate the memorial's history and recognize donors, adding layers of community engagement.
As the sun sets over Chandler, various light fixtures, including wall and stair lights, along with internal LED lights within cubes and plinths, come to life, creating a distinct nocturnal experience. The lighting design is purposeful, emphasizing the cubes and plinths while allowing other elements to fade into the background, creating a contemplative and serene ambiance.
The AZ Veterans Memorial is respected by the Chandler community as a timeless tribute to veterans, a place for remembrance, contemplation, and gratitude. Each element, from the symbolic undulations to the star-shaped upper plaza, stands as a testament to the resilience and sacrifice of those who served. Kimley Horn's thoughtful design captures the very essence of honor, sacrifice, and reflection, weaving them into the undulating landforms and the starlit skies.
Filed Under: LIGHTING, CHANDLER, AZ, KIMLEY HORN, LASN
