Three finalists announced in PSU-run design competition for firefighters memorial

Three finalists have been announced in a Portland State University-administered design competition on behalf of the Portland Fire Bureau, the Portland Firefighters Association David Campbell Memorial Committee for the creation of a new memorial. It will be built on the Eastbank Esplanade beside the northeast corner of the Hawthorne Bridge.

The competition came about when Jeff Schnabel, a member of PSU architecture department faculty was contacted by the firefighters group to assist with a new memorial that would replace the existing one on West Burnside. He suggested (and they accepted) a small competition using the pool of architects that are currently serving or have in the past served as adjunct faculty for PSU.

Finalists, announced in October, are Whelton Architecture, SUM Design Studio and William Tripp. Other participants were Works Partnership, Matt Janssen, Architecture Office, and Nikola Boscanin. Schnabel says the next steps will be review by various city agencies and cost estimates followed by the resubmission of the schemes based on the review comments.

The SUM Design scheme finalist (pictured above) is called “Senses”. It includes a reflecting pool not unlike that planned for the World Trade Center memorial. I say this not to imply it’s a copy, but to emphasize that still water has long made places of sober reflection—pun intended.

William Tripp Architects has offered a scheme (pictured below) in which a series of steps guide visitors down to the river, with individual stone steps marked to commemorate fallen firefighters. This may be the plan that creates the best interface with the Willamette, kind of like the Spanish Steps in Rome.

 

 

Whelton Architecture created a cluster of tall light poles (pictured below and at the top of this post), each one representing a fallen Portland firefighter and each of a varying height depending on his or her length of service. This seems like the memorial that would be most striking from a distance. I think a cluster of artful light poles would carve out a sense of place that could in turn help define this portion of the Esplanade.

A final scheme will be selected in November. The selection committee includes Commissioner Randy Leonard, Fire Bureau chief John Klum, Portland Spaces and Portland Monthly editor Randy Gragg, travel agency owner and former mayoral candidate Sho Dozono.Construction of the memorial will be completed by June 2011 in time for the 100th anniversary of the death of Chief David Campbell in a tragic fire just two blocks from the site of the new memorial.

Comments

[Steve L.]

What is happening to the current firefighters memorial on West Burnside?

[Kyle]

This is exactly the kind of project that competitions are perfect for. It allows the designers to deal with poetic solutions with metaphor and symbolism. The gravity or construction of it becomes less important than the message. I like them all - can't wait to see how this advances. The existing memorial on W. Burnside is a little too introspective rather than engaging. It becomes something you walk around..almost like hanging out on the steps of a mausoleum

[dennis]

I am so happy to hear about this project. I agree this is the type of project that should have a competition and it is great to have it be between the faculty at PSU.

The current memorial at W Burnside is a sorry excuse for a memorial. It is at the intersection of busy roads and looks like it was given the left over space of the intersection...heck, I would even bet that most Portlanders dont even know the memorial is even there.

I hope we get to see more projects like this between the city and the PSU architecture department.

[Randy Leonard]

Brian-
You have written an excellent piece on the proposed Portland Firefighter Memorial.

However, the competition was not sponsored or initiated by the Portland Firefighters Association, the union that represents Portland Firefighters.

The competition was sponsored by the Portland Fire Bureau and the David Campbell Memorial Committee.

Here is the Portland Firefighter Memorial web site set up and maintained by the Portland Fire Bureau;

http://www.portlandfirefightersmemorial.org/

Thank you.

Randy Leonard
Commissioner In Charge,
Portland Fire and Rescue

[Steve L.]

The largest design challenge with this site seems to be the looming auto overpass. It would visually impact the Whelton design the most as the light columns exist in that plane and the columns are the most dramatic element of the Whelton proposal. The trees and orientation of the Tripp proposal seem to best mitigate the overpasses visual and noise impact.

The noise from auto traffic would be the other major impact of the overpass and would be worse than the noise from Burnside at the current memorial site. The water feature in the Sum proposal may help mask the noise.

The big positive of the Whelton proposal is that it can be seen from the other side of the river and from the bridges, and so it communicates on two levels, up close and at a distance.

[dennis]

Steve I have to say that I do know that area really well seeing that it is one of my favorite places to sit in the city when I am out for a walk or a bike ride. The noise is not as intrusive as one might think because of how high up it is and how consistent it is.

Looking at the proposals closer the Tripp Project would be really interesting because of how it cuts down towards the water and would turn the space into a destination location. SUM's design takes the current sitting area and renovates it by creating a pool that would have a much more direct response from passersby in an area that is known as a good stopping area. The Whelton would be very interesting because of its interaction from close and far away, but I fear would read the same as those red columns in the water, plus the freeway would take away from the overall effect because it would always loom over this project.

So I am hoping for either SUM or Tripp to win this competition.

[Josiah]

Now I know this is a big no no (possibly so was that sentence) but I think these are all strong ideas and should be mixed and matched. The light poles with a reflecting pool and the stairs!! Then you would have the "calm and reflective" factor, the "looks awesome from a distance" factor, and the "is fun to interact with and sit on factor". Am I right or am I right... Anyway, I'm glad I'm not picking, would be tough to do. Also kudos for having a design competition, (even if it was pretty exclusive) would love to see more of this and as we can see, it generates good ideas. Next time open it up to everybody!!

[Brian Libby]

Josiah, I was actually thinking the same thing. It'd be cool to have the light poles and the stairs, maybe the reflecting pool too. The stairs could just be stairs without the memorial in the steps, while the light poles could be the symbol of individuals loss and the reflecting pool a symbol of the collective.

[billb]

Josiah , are you crazy , mix and match , destroy Artistic Integrity !!!!
OK , I kinda like your idea...

P.S. since you seem to be listening Commissioner L. , we would love to have more Competitions for Public Works!
[as most of us designer-types are out-of-work-now.]

[Jon]

Yeah, but really... What is happening to the original?

[Alisa]

Several have asked about what will happen to the current memorial after design selection, fundraising and construction are completed for the new memorial.

The current firefighters memorial on West Burnside was constructed in 1928. Unfortunately, the memorial is deteriorating and experts say is beyond repair. The new memorial's design will incorporate historic elements of the current memorial including brass lanterns, a plaque, and the bell. Once elements of the existing memorial are moved, a rose garden commemorating the events of September 11, 2001 is proposed for the site at West Burnside.

Feel free to check out the following website for more information:
portlandfirefightersmemorial.org

[Brian Libby]

I can understand it if the West Burnside memorial is beyond repair as it relates to outside display. But why not let it be saved for display in an interior location? I hope the firefighters will not let the Burnside memorial be destroyed, even if it's no longer displayed.

[Jon]

I'm all for the new and improved memorial, and I think all are excellent designs. But
I think the existing one is important too. In general, I don't think memorials are disposable, moveable or replaceable. They are meant to permanent reminders and places of memory, especially ones that have been around since 1928. I think it would be a sad disservice to abandon the current memorial. It’s such a charming, if rather underappreciated, piece of civic architecture. And how many times have we heard that buildings are beyond repair...

[Jon]

So I say two memorials are better then one.

[Aneeda]

I like the old memorial. It always appeared to me to be a bit of an anomaly in that location. I think that's what made it so interesting.

[zilfondel]

Didn't they rip out the Japanese memorial plaza to put in the new Saturday Market pavilion?

Can't pick 'n' choose your memorial. Although we were within a hair's width in tearing out the Veteran's Memorial at the Coliseum, too.

[dennis]

Actually the Japanese Memorial is to the north of the Burnside Bridge, the Saturday Market is to the south of the bridge. Also with the Coliseum, the city would of had to make sure there was a new memorial installed to replace the one lost...which I think it would be a good idea to consider a new veteran's memorial apart of any plans that is done with the Rose Quarter.

[Steve L.]

The current memorial is essentially a set of opposing benches centered on a fountain. If it is not used enough, it is probably because of the location. If it was in a place where people wanted to sit, like Willamette Park, and if the fountain worked, it would be used. Disintegrating elements like the lamps and a plaque and mashing them into a new Memorial compromises both Memorials.

Since the current Memorial is so simple it would be easy to move and I can't believe the experts who say it is "beyond repair." I would like to see their findings.

This city has so few historic features; particularly surfaces that show the years of wear that can be seen on this Memorial. I like weathered stone and I would like the Memorial in my neighborhood if the firefighters would like the monument in a less traveled, more contemplative location.

Shouldn't this competition be run by the city and involve the Firefighter's Association? Why is PSU running this competition? What is their connection to the Memorial? When did the city abdicate this planning role to PSU?

After being on the short-end of PSU's student population "data" during the schools closures, I don't have confidence in their "experts" or their urban planning work, and I have concerns about conflicts of interest when I hear about this being a "pretty exclusive" process.

[dennis]

Steve, to point out something for you, the PSU architecture department has a new Master's degree, which now makes them a professional architecture program. What is happening here is a sign that the program wishes to be proactive within the community or "flexing their muscles" so to better integrate them within the city.

Established architecture school are always well invested in the city they are in when it comes to civic project and design firms, which makes it easier for students to transfer from the school environment to the work environment.

Also, just because this project isnt sponsored by the union, doesnt mean it isnt sponsored by the firefighters, which are still apart of the Fire Department Bureau which makes sense that a Bureau would be leading a memorial proposal.

It sounds like you have issues with PSU, but I dont think that should be taken out on a program that struggled to survive for many years and is now finally starting to grow and evolve into an actual player in the city.

[Steve L.]

Dennis, I support the PSU architecture program in general and by mentoring one of their students. I am uncomfortable with PSU getting too involved in what should be a city planning role.

[Steve L.]

I first though this riverfront site offered a chance at both a private peaceful place to reflect on the sacrifices of firefighters and a public prominent place to display a strong symbol of a cities support for firefighters, but after closer examination, this site may fall short on both its private and public mission. Wedged between the freeway and the firehouse boat dock, the public views to and from this site are screened or blocked in almost every direction by ramps, buildings and dock pilings, and the noise and commotion from boats and automobiles would be less peaceful than most waterfront locations.

The riparian habitat in this area is so damaged; I would like to see what little space there is between the freeway and the river used to rehabilitate habitat and as a natural buffer to the river.

Maybe there is another location, where the missions of the memorial and the rehabilitation of the river could better mesh and be more successful.

[Kyle]

The space the existing memorial fills is one of those funky circumstances where the two grids of the city meet. I like the little pocket parks and sculpture opportunities found along there. Whatever they do at the existing location, if even leave it as is, I hope they don't just pave it. I like the juxtaposition of the new memorial location and the river. A memorial that offers those moments of contemplation, while also giving you a place to rest seems a great installation and way for the city to engage the river more than it does already. All the talk of the assumed noise and overhead ramps being distracting, are in reality just part of the city, and doubt it will compromise the purpose if well designed. Do it and have more competitions like this to improve the city.

[dennis]

Steve it seems as if you are just seeing the negative in the site that is being proposed rather than its positives. What you have described are challenges that should be addressed, much like any site that has its own challenges.

If someone were to ask me where I go to reflect within the city, it would be this location. There is the best view of the Hawthorne Bridge and the city's skyline, the traffic noise is more of a constant white noise that is far above the head, thus drowning it out as just background noise. The other key factor to this site that you are overlooking is that it is currently a common stopping point for people walking, biking, and jogging. There is currently a constant use for this location and adding a memorial that would be seen by everyone that uses this path would serve a great purpose for remembering, unlike the current location which gets lost within the intersections and all the cars that pass through that space.

But isnt PSU and the architecture department apart of the city? Should the school act as an island or be what it is an institute promoting the future talents of the city? Also you see the architecture's department as a PSU involvement when it is just one small department that is making an attempt to be apart of the city. Does it bother you when educational departments receive giant grants to do numerous studies that can have an impact on the world?

This is a small memorial that is dedicated to local firefighters that is being designed by local architects that are teaching local students how to design within the fabric of their own city. How could this be seen as a negative thing or something that would make one uncomfortable? Would you feel the same if the Fire Department Bureau had this memorial proposal being designed by Frank Gehry?

[Andrew]

The SUM Design scheme also looks a lot like the "Water Benches" at the More London development near Tower Bridge. Getting the watter to flow evenly over all surfaces was a challenge, but a nice end result that's very interactive - someone's always got their hand in it.

[Common Sense]

I am uncomfortable with PSU taking on city planning roles that declare public property "beyond repair" with little or no public process, whether it is a memorial large or small or a school.

Since city planners make decisions that weight PSU's interests against the interests of others in the city, I think there should not be too cozy a relationship between the city and the institution.

Dennis, do you have any information from the inside "players" at PSU about what makes the current memorial "beyond repair?"

As for Gehry, I am not a fan, sorry.