Kimley-Horn provided landscape architecture and civil engineering design of the park from concept through construction administration.
Symbolism
Developed the six core themes of freedom, recognition, reflection, sacrifice, memories, and family to inspire site design and help visitors reflect on the impact of these concepts
Creative Illumination
Leveraged lighting features to create a proportionally accurate American flag, providing interactive colorful plinths within a rolling landform to emulate the flag as it ripples in the wind
Stakeholder Engagement
Considered the perspectives and ideas of more than 10 veterans’ groups and used their feedback to create the symbolic framework for the memorial
Nestled within the 113-acre Veterans Oasis Park in southeast Chandler, Arizona, the Field of Honor Memorial provides an opportunity for visitors to reflect on the sacrifices and stories of veterans. Across a decade, Kimley-Horn partnered with the City of Chandler, relevant stakeholder groups, and Hunter Contracting Co. providing the following services for the memorial design:
Civil engineering
Landscape architecture
Electrical engineering
Stakeholder engagement
Project Recognition
Rendering vs. Reality (Photo by Hunter Contracting Co.)
Thoughtful Engagement with Stakeholders
and Partners
Kimley-Horn and the City of Chandler consulted more than 10 unique veterans’ groups to inform the memorial’s design. After thoughtfully considering stakeholder feedback, we developed the park’s central thematic elements: freedom, recognition, reflection, sacrifice, memories, and family. These themes inspired the final design, which offers a quiet location away from city life to engage with veteran experiences.
Our team also adapted to the City of Chandler’s preference to open the Field of Honor Memorial on Veterans Day 2021. To accomplish this, we expedited the design schedule and then worked with the City to get the designs approved rapidly to accommodate the grand opening timeline—which was ultimately successful.
Illuminated, Multi-dimensional Symbolism
Deep symbolism is embedded into every layer of the Field of Honor Memorial—from the illuminated cubes on the lower level to the star-outlined pavilion on the upper level. The red-white-and-blue illuminated plinths on the lower level are proportional to elements of the American flag, and the various cube sizes represent soldiers leaving for war and returning. A group of 21 cubes in the middle also represents service members lost in the line of duty, reflecting the high honor and solemn meaning of a 21-gun salute.
Shaped to remind visitors of both historic service flags and the Arizona flag, Kimley-Horn designed the upper level to show the perspective of people waiting and watching for their loved ones to come home. Additional site features that help visitors engage with the military experience and reflect on veteran sacrifices include a F-86 jet sculpture and signboards that detail military stories.
With captivating RGB and LED lighting, the Field of Honor Memorial illuminates the hard-won freedoms of our veterans and their families—helping visitors step out of their busy lives and into a contemplative space.
Featured Image Attribution: Hunter Contracting Co.
