allied works wraps national veterans memorial & museum with concrete ribbons in ohio

first revealed in 2014 and designed by allied works architecture, ohio’s veterans memorial and museum has opened the doors to its home. not aiming to be a war memorial nor a military museum, the national veterans memorial and museum (NVMM) is a cultural institution that seeks to connect the role of veterans and the act of service within a broader national context. located in columbus, ohio, the 53,000-square-foot museum brings together architecture and landscape through one sculptural gesture.

photos by jeremy bittermann

sited long the banks of the scioto river, the national veterans memorial and museum by allied works architecture integrates and lifts the landscape into a sculptural space, paving a way that culminates at a rooftop sanctuary and amphitheater. the ribbon-shaped structural concrete, arranged in three concentric rings, forms the museum and binds the building to the site. inside, interactive installations convey the shared and individual experiences of veterans and offer a glimpse of american military service around the world.

designed as a gathering space for commemorative and civic events, the national veterans memorial and museum will also act as a home to a full program of installations and exhibitions. when visiting, guests will be welcomed by the main entry plaza through a forecourt and pass between two structural concrete archers as they enter the building. inside, the lobby connects to a great hall, featuring views to the river and the city, as wells as a space for gathering.

the light-filled galleries are organized along the building’s perimeter, bringing visitors on a journey that explores core moments of the veteran experience. designed by ralph applebaum associates, the exhibits provide a thematic look at the experience of transitioning from a civilian, to a member of the armed services, to a veteran reentering civilian life. at the upper level, the remembrance gallery and rooftop sanctuary reconnect visitors to the exterior and the columbus skyline.

‘the national veterans memorial and museum will be a crucial touchpoint for the nation through its mission to honor, connect, inspire, and educate visitors about the service and sacrifice of veterans,’ said lieutenant general michael ferriter, u.s. army (retired), who serves as president and CEO of the national veterans memorial and museum. ‘when veterans return home, they join communities as innovative leaders and team plans who want to accomplish the next mission. in its design and program, the NVMM seeks to inspire reflection and remembrance, catalyze nostalgia into action, and amplify civic participation.’