Whiting Vietnam Memorial

OWNERS

City of Whiting

CONSULTANT TEAM

PROJECT DETAILS

Budget: $170,000

Year: 2018

Whiting, IN

Memorial Spaces & Public Art

The Whiting-Robertsdale Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a powerful tribute to honor local heroes who laid their lives down in service to our country. The memorial combines artistry, sculpture, and storyline to offer a unique and contemplative experience for local patrons and visitors.

The memorial is made of glass and stainless steel that provides a beautiful daytime feature that was able to be dynamically lit for nighttime effect.

Context Design collaborated with the Lafayette Parks Department to strategically plan the revitalization of the historic Columbian Park. This initiative targeted Memorial Island, originally the site of the annual Memorial Day ceremony, transforming it into an open-air assembly of war memorials and relics.
Memorial Island stands as a solemn tribute, hosting memorials that honor the dedicated men and women who have served in the armed forces across various conflicts and, Prisoners of War, Missing in Action, recipients of the Medal of Honor, and families of Purple Heart recipients. The upgraded amphitheater, now ADA-accessible, serves as a central venue for community events on Memorial Day and various other occasions throughout the year.

Context Design Role: Lead Consultant, Master Planning, Lead Site Designer, and Construction Documents

Collaborators: Glass Artist: GRT Glass Design, Civil Engineer: American Structurepoint, and Contractor: Berglund Construction

OWNERS

City of Whiting

CONSULTANT TEAM

See Related Projects

No results found.

See Related Projects

View Project

Cultural Campus at Fort Ben

Indianapolis, IN

Context Design collaborated with Arts for Lawrence to turn a dilapidated parking lot into an art experience. This campus stimulates all senses while expressing the history of the park’s surroundings. A military marching cadence intermixes with the melody of musical chords and laughter as children of all ages play on the Musical Swings. Engraved limestone benches march park visitors to the amphitheater that is home to outdoor concerts, children’s theater events, and celebrations of special occasions. A sloped lawn, which is bisected with crisscrossing walks, invites outdoor play and lawn seating and creates opportunities for outdoor programmed events. Artist rooms provide quiet space for creating and selling beautiful creations.

The impact of this project on Fort Ben and the Lawrence community has been significant, and the flexibility of the spaces provide endless opportunity for the continued creation of art.

Context Design Role: Master Planning, Lead Site Designer, Pedestrian Hardscapes, and Construction Documents.

Collaborators: Schneider Geomatics, Interactive Art: Daily Tous le Jour, Ignition Arts, ESL Spectrum, andContractor: Envoy

View Project

Memorial Island

Columbian Park, Lafayette, IN

Memorial Island: A gem within the historic Columbian Park in Lafayette, Indiana. The vision to transform these 7 acres began in 2015 with a master plan to revitalize the underutilized lagoon, and aging amphitheater, and create a centrally located collection of war memorials. After 8 years and over $9 million of investment, visitors can enjoy a new event/wedding lawn, pedestrian promenade along the historic Lusk Pavilion, memorial gardens, new stage and bandshell, covered amphitheater, boardwalk, fishing nodes, pedal boating, Lagoon upgrades, programmable fountains, and lush Victorian era inspired plantings. The amphitheater is now home to the Arts in the Park festivities, Lafayette Citizen’s Band, and the annual Memorial Day parade and service held by the city. Context Design led the master plan and all three phases of implementation.

Context Design Role: Lead Consultant, Master Planning, Lead Site Designer, and Construction Documents

Collaborators: Keystone Architects, Tbird, V3 Consultants, Circle Design Group, and TIII Environments

View Project

The National Desert Shield and Desert Storm War Memorial

Washington, D.C.

Our team had the privilege of collaborating closely with the CSO and the National Desert Storm Memorial Association to develop the initial concept for the National Desert Storm Memorial in Washington D.C. in 2016.

The original design featured a sand wall ascending alongside a landform, forming a sweeping left hook. This left hook symbolizes the strategic military tactic employed by the U.S.-led coalition forces, originating from Saudi Arabia, to outflank Iraqi troops and advance into Kuwait and southern Iraq. This conceptual idea served as the foundation to garner initial support and approval, and it continues to be the guiding vision for the memorial’s ongoing development.

Context Design Role: Master Planning, Lead Site Designer, and Conceptual Design

Collaborators: CSO

View Project

Mackey Arena – Public Art

West Lafayette, IN

Context played a pivotal site role in the interdisciplinary design team responsible for the comprehensive enhancements of Mackey Arena. As a key contributor to the site’s transformation, Context not only coordinated but also designed a captivating series of public art installations. These artworks are a celebration of the rich heritage of the Boilermaker community, encapsulating the ethos of the Boilermaker spirit, and paying homage to the legendary John Wooden.

Context Design Role: Lead Site Designer and Construction Documents

Collaborators: HNTB, Bo-Mar – Fabrication, and GRT Glass Design

View Project

Memorial Island – Memorials

Columbian Park, Lafayette, IN

Columbian Park’s Memorial Island stands as an open-air assembly of memorials and monuments dedicated to commemorating and acknowledging the contributions of servicemen and women in the armed forces. It houses distinct tributes for each branch of the military and the Medal of Honor, Missing in Action, Prisoner of War, Gold Star Family, Vietnam War, and other notable honors. The Memorial Island amphitheater serves as the culminating point for the Memorial Day parade, hosting an annual program that pays tribute to local heroes.

Context Design Role: Lead Consultant, Master Planning, Lead Site Designer, and Construction Documents

View Project

General Memorial, Reflective & Public Art Experience

A memorial, reflective space, or public art piece deserves intentional and careful thought, design, and coordination. By working closely with our clients, design teams, and artists, we curate powerful and moving spaces that are inspired and honor the subject matter, people, event, or art piece.

Selected Experience:

911 Memorial / Brownsburg, IN
CityWay / Indianapolis, IN
Columbarium, Heartland Church / Fishers, IN
Cultural Campus at Fort Ben / Indianapolis, IN
Kennedy-King Park / Indianapolis, IN
Mackey Arena / Purdue University / West Lafayette, IN
Margaret Mary Health Memorial Garden / Batesville, IN
Medal of Honor Memorial / Fishers, IN
Memorial Island at Columbian Park / Lafayette, IN
Ironworks Plaza / Mishawaka, IN
IU Health Bloomington / Bloomington, IN
Rosary Walk / University of Notre Dame / South Bend, IN
The National Desert Storm Memorial / Washington, D.C.
Simon Skodt Assembly Hall / Indiana University / Bloomington, IN
Whiting Vietnam War Memorial / Whiting, IN Whiting Immaculate Conception Pocket Park / Whiting, IN

BACK TO PORTFOLIO