Jacques Prins, Kevin Battarbee and Egidijus Kasakaitis, architects of the Dutch multidisciplinary office Inbo, have proceeded to the third and final round with their proposal “Monument of Unity”. The task given to competitors by the competition committee chaired by the AIA focused on “how to redesign the area around the Monument, to make it ready for the 21st century”.
The proposal of Jacques, Kevin and Egidijus consists of a large sky-lit space encircling the base of the Monument, in which a museum space and amenities are accommodated. By revealing and displaying the foundations of the Monument, currently hidden inside the mound, layers of history are revealed and the monument presents itself from a new perspective. The main theme and inspiration of the design is the person and legacy of George Washington, symbolized by a Farewell Address quote on the circular perimeter wall: “independence, peace at home and abroad, safety, prosperity, and liberty are all dependent upon the unity between the states”.
The area around the Washington Monument, the pivotal point of the Washington Mall, has been subject to many plans in the past century, none of which came past the design stage. Due to the increasing number of visitors and the need for improved visitor safety, revision of the Monument grounds once again found its place on the public agenda. Out of more than 500 initial entries 'Monument of Unity' was chosen as one of the six finalists. Public voting will decide which of the remaining six will be ultimately declared the winner.
