Construction of the Eisenhower Memorial, designed by Frank Gehry, has finally begun. The project, which is located in Washington D.C., has been approved after long years of facing obstacles.
The firm celebrated the commencement of the project at the National Mall site that resides at the intersecting avenues of Independence and Maryland and facing the National Air and Space Museum.
© Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission
“This project has been an enormous honor for me both professionally and personally. I was sixteen years old when Eisenhower defeated the Nazis and led America to victory in WWII. I had lost thirty-three members of my family in the camps, so his victory was all the more meaningful to me,” said Gehry, after the sod-cutting ceremony.
“His leadership in peacetime was as inspiring. He led the country with strength, but also with great humanity and humility. I hope that these values are captured in the memorial and that it will be a place to honor and to learn from one of the greatest heroes that the world has ever known.”
© Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission
The memorial, which pays homage to the great American president, resembles a park. The park-like venue will include columns, that are 25 meters in height, holding a group of metal wall-hangings featuring pictures from the president’s hometown -Abilene, Kansas. Moreover, piled-up stone blocks will showcase reliefs and sculptures that will take the visitors back in time to observe the important moments in Eisenhower’s life as a president.
© Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission
The memorial is slated for completion on May 8, 2020, commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the ‘Victory in Europe’ day.