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National World War II Memorial

Washington, DC

Our approach to the lighting of the WWII Memorial, located on 7.4 acres on the National Mall's central axis, strived to echo the memorial's physical manifestation of the sentiment, “darkness of global conflict and a light of freedom”, as represented in the Freedom Wall. At night it was important to re-create the same effect by modeling key elements in a chiaroscuro manner.

The lighting adds an element of the magical to the transformation of the memorial from day to night. Lighting was discreetly integrated into each component and the intensity carefully balanced to accentuate each element with layers of illumination. We envisioned a subtle warm-colored light emanating from the architectural features - the light level very subtle, almost imperceptible, so as not to take away from the other monuments on the mall. The design approach was driven by the light trespass concerns of the client.

Our exterior lighting design for this $175 million project included the memorial pathways, steps and ceremonial entry and colored water features in the historic rainbow pool.

This project's lighting design has been recognized with an IESNY Lumen Award of Merit.