Design
The Veterans Memorial at the Crossings of Colonie was a
collaborative design effort between Einhorn Yaffee Prescott,
the Town of Colonie as well as interested community members.
The basis of the design was to pay homage to those citizens
of the Town of Colonie that have served in any of the six
branches of the Armed Services in any conflict, while always
being conscience of the Crossings natural surroundings.
Below is a brief description of the final memorial design.
The
Wall
The memorial consists of a curved, sloped wall that is anchored
by a wall that will display six stone plaques that represent
the six branches of service. These plaques will sit above
a small reflecting pool. Below each stone plaque there will
be a linear spout that ‘gives’ water to this reflecting
pool. Undoubtedly a metaphor for the giving of service or
life to something larger than itself.
Above
the plaques will be the dedication plaque inscribed with:
“Erected And Dedicated In Memory Of All Who Have Served
And To Those Who Gave Their Lives In The Service Of Our
Country In All Her Conflicts – By The Citizens Of
The Town Of Colonie.”
The
Pavers
In front of the reflecting pool will be stone pavers that
will be inscribed with the names of town citizens that have
served their country. These stone pavers will rest in the
curve of the wall and offer an area of reflectance. The metaphor
here is, the outstretched arms of the wall embrace these individuals
while at the same time welcoming all who visit. At the perimeter
of these pavers is another layer of pavers that will serve
as a walkway around the memorial and ultimately the connection
to the existing pathway. These pavers would also have the
capability of being inscribed and the ability to serve our
future armed service members.
The
Ambience
It
is imperative that this memorial fit into its natural surroundings
and at the same time be dramatic. The shear size of this memorial
will lend to the drama, but how we treat the lighting, landscaping
and the associated surroundings will also play a role in this
drama. The plaques, reflecting pool and flag pole with be
undoubtedly lit, but the approach to the memorial should also
be carefully considered. This truly is a place of reflectance
and it is this reflectance that needs to be portrayed in the
ambience.
Designed By Keith Buff, Einhorn, Yaffee Prescott Architecture
& Engineering PC
