Kengo Kuma & Associates Unveils Global War on Terrorism Memorial Design
The Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation (GWOTMF) has unveiled designs for a new memorial on Washington, D.C.'s National Mall, created by Kengo Kuma & Associates. This memorial honors more than 7,000 U.S. military personnel who lost their lives in the Global War on Terror, which started after the 9/11 attacks in 2001 and concluded with the U.S. exit from Afghanistan in 2021. Brown University researchers estimate that around 4.7 million people, including over 432,000 civilians, died across various countries. Critics note that the design does not acknowledge civilian deaths, similar to concerns raised about the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The memorial will feature a "path of honor" leading to other memorials and will incorporate reclaimed war steel, surrounded by natural greenery. After initially selecting Marlon Blackwell Architects in 2023, Kengo Kuma & Associates took over in 2024, though the GWOTMF has not clarified why. Currently, the foundation is working on fundraising while the design awaits approval from the National Capital Planning Commission.
Key facts
- Kengo Kuma & Associates designed the Global War on Terrorism Memorial on the National Mall.
- The memorial commemorates over 7,000 U.S. service members killed in the Global War on Terror (2001–2021).
- Brown University researchers estimate 4.7 million total deaths, including over 432,000 civilians.
- The design does not mention civilian casualties, drawing criticism similar to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
- The triangular plot is bounded by Constitution Avenue, Henry Bacon Drive, and 23rd Street.
- The path of honor connects to the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial.
- Stone and steel relics from 9/11 are placed at entrances.
- A mobius strip of reclaimed war steel, covered in vegetation, forms the memorial, aligned with Arlington National Cemetery's Section 60.
- Marlon Blackwell Architects was initially selected in 2023 but replaced by Kengo Kuma & Associates in 2024.
- The design is subject to National Capital Planning Commission feedback.
Entities
Artists
- Kengo Kuma
- Maya Lin
- Henry Bacon
- Randy Schumacher
- Viet Thanh Nguyen
Institutions
- Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation
- Kengo Kuma & Associates
- Marlon Blackwell Architects
- CSO Architects
- OLIN Studio
- Brown University
- National Capital Planning Commission
- Arlington National Cemetery
Locations
- Washington, D.C.
- United States
- National Mall
- Constitution Avenue
- Henry Bacon Drive
- 23rd Street
- Afghanistan
- Pakistan
- Iraq
- Syria
- Yemen
- Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery