SouthEast Asia Memorial PAVILION & PLAZA OF HEROES

United States Air Force Academy, CO

Both of these projects were designed by HB&A under a design-build delivery method. Jointly planned by the USAFA Classes of ’65 and ’70, the Plaza honors Academy graduates who received commendations for their service during the armed conflicts in Southeast Asia. The Southeast Asia and Vietnam memorial displays a bronze three-dimensional plaque, approximately eight square feet in size, highlighting battles and other significant events of the war. Electronic displays provide additional historic information about the military conflict and USAFA graduates. The site created the biggest challenge for this memorial. It is in a semi remote area with steep terrain behind Doolittle Hall on Heritage Trail. HB&A worked to find the best possible location for the building footprint. They accomplished this by manipulating the building on the edge of the hill so it would balance out the amount of soil on the site. It was critical so that the building didn’t perch out too high creating a need for large retaining walls; and it wasn’t dug down too low causing steep slopes that would conflict with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The Plaza of Heroes is nestled adjacent to the Memorial Pavilion with a larger-than-life bronze sculpture of the Academy’s only Medal of Honor recipient, Captain Lance Sijan ‘65, placed in front of a backdrop of clear and etched glass panels. The concrete surface steps gently down the hillside in three terraced platforms, creating an amphitheater suitable for class gatherings and memorial services. To one side of the Plaza is a gray granite wall on which are mounted bronze plaques honoring the 16 Air Force Cross recipients and 205 Silver Star recipients from the Air Force Academy.

AWARDS
AIA People's Choice Award - Colorado South Chapter