Frank Gehry

National Eisenhower Memorial . Washington

+ washington post . Eisenhower Memorial Commission

On March 25, 2010, the Eisenhower Memorial Commission unanimously selected the preferred design concept created by Frank O. Gehry.

The Commission selected a preferred site, Eisenhower Square, at the base of Capitol Hill, across Independence Avenue from the National Air and Space Museum and north of the United States Department of Education. Eisenhower Square is surrounded by institutions connected to Eisenhower’s legacy including the United States Department of Education, the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the Federal Aviation Administration, Voice of America, and the National Air and Space Museum.Maryland Avenue currently runs through the site with a vista that focuses on the U.S. Capitol Building. From the site, visitors experience a dramatic view of the American seat of government. As an original street from the 1792 Pierre L'Enfant Plan for Washington, D.C., the views along the avenue require special consideration. The Memorial design reinforces this historic view corridor and enhances the presence of the Capitol views from and to the site.The setting for the memorial will be framed by transparent woven metal tapestries. Harkening back to ancient memorial tapestries, this modern interpretation will be made of woven metal and supported by 80-foot-tall columns. The images on the tapestry depict the plains of the American Midwest. Elements of Eisenhower’s home in Abilene, Kansas are included. This imagery represents not only Eisenhower’s humble beginnings, but also speaks to the values he carried with him throughout his life.