Vietnam War Memorial
Sketches
Dedicated to all who served, suffered and died. The Vietnam Memorial addresses the conflicting need for a public interpretation of this contentious war, and the more private commemoration of the war veterans.
The memorial incorporates text, representational artwork and sculpture in an organic unified whole. A surrounding moat of water defines the solemn contemplative centre; this domed island, linked to Anzac Parade by a broad ramp, is the focus of the rotated triangular composition.
Artist Impression
The ring of granite stones suspended between the three 9m high concrete stelae contains a roll of names of those killed in the war, and symbolises the journey from earth to heaven. The focus of the memorial is a 1967 photograph of Australian servicemen at Phouc Tuy in Vietnam, sandblasted into 200 triangular polished granite slabs, each a different size.
A second stele wall shows a selection of contemporary quotations, spelled out in stainless steel letters set into the concrete. The third wall, behind the focal monolithic granite altar is blank.
Constructed of high-quality off-form concrete, black granite and stainless steel, the project required sophisticated 3D modelling for the detailing of its complex curved surfaces.
Awards
1993, Master Builders Association Merit Award.
1993, Concrete Institute of Australia Merit Award.
1993, RAIA Architects Merit Award for Outstanding Architecture.
1990, First Prize and Commission.
Team
Peter Tonkin, Andrew Nimmo, James Grant, Byron Harford, Miriam Fitzpatrick.
Collaborators
Ken Unsworth AM.
Photographer
Patrick Bingham-Hall, John Gollings.
