CFA 15/SEP/16-2

Dear Secretary Cleland:

In its meeting of 15 September, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed a revised concept design for the new U.S. memorial at the National War Memorial Park in Wellington, New Zealand. The Commission approved the revised concept with the following comments.

The Commission members expressed appreciation for the greater clarity provided in the presentation; they commented that the design has been developed and improved, making use of opportunities provided by the site such as working with the existing paths and walls. They expressed strong support for the visual reference to earthworks and burial mounds conveyed by the shaped landscape, and they noted the importance of precision in designing the sculptural treatment of the ground plane. They requested careful study of the juxtaposition of materials and their details, particularly the edge where the memorial slab meets the earthen mound. Finally, they recommended adding the words “Radio Address” to the attribution section of the inscribed text.

The Commission looks forward to review of the next submission. As always, the staff is available to assist you.

Sincerely,

/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary

The Honorable Max Cleland, Secretary
American Battle Monuments Commission
2300 Clarendon Boulevard, Suite 500
Arlington, VA 22201–3367

cc: Harry Robinson III, TRG Consulting Global
Monica Ponce de Leon, MPdL Studio
Michael Blier, Landworks Studio