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learning center grove sunken garden approach

NYC AIDS Memorial Park Competition Entry Number: 7224

In May 1981 an article appeared in the New York Times titled Rare Cancer Seen in 41 Homosexuals. Hidden deep within the paper, it was not paid much attention but this would be a harbinger of what was to come. A few months later AIDS was declared an epidemic. We have taken inspiration from those rst 41 men to guide our proposal for the AIDS Memorial Project. The parks four main elements the birch tree grove, the sunken garden, the eld of native

grasses and owers, and the Learning Center represent a timeline of the past, present and future of the AIDS epidemic in New York. Together they form a green space for the community that is a versatile site for recreation, gathering, remembering, and learning. The Learning Center holds the north face of the site with the main entry located at the intersection of Greenwich and West 12th. The northfacing wall is glass which washes the interior

with northern light and allows views from the street into the space, lending a high level of visibility to exhibitions, installations, or events. The interior ramps down, where the south faade facing the sunken garden can be opened, creating an indoor / outdoor space for performances, meetings, or events. The sunken garden is carved by terracing the earth, creating a space that functions as an amphitheater. This is a place to gather,

representing the development of the AIDS community in New York City in the 1980s and 90s the profound mobilization of thousands of activists, doctors, nurses, caregivers, family members, friends and lovers. The adjacent eld of native grasses and owers is an open eld that represents the hope for the future. As plants and owers change with the seasons it transforms the park with new growth. Throughout the eld there are multiple areas for

sitting and gathering. The grove of 41 birch trees, planted on a grid, provides a place of peaceful order, a counterpoint to the confusion, fear and misinformation at the beginning of the epidemic. The space within the trees is activated by the light ltered through the leaves and branches and is interspersed with benches for meditation and contemplation. The trees will continue to grow and change through the years and seasons and

are a living memory of the 41 men who are symbols of the public face of AIDS in New York City. At night this grove comes alive with thousands of small LED lights scattered throughout the trees and ground plane, representing the thousands of those impacted by the disease. Thirty years after the beginning of the AIDS crisis in New York City we continue to face the issues of misinformation, complacency and challenges such as the side e ects of long term treatment.

This park is a place to memorialize those who were and continue to be a ected and the strong community that organized around them. It is a place to celebrate survivors and our accomplishments. It is also a place to continue the progress toward a future without AIDS.

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