Portland Firefighters Memorial

Portland, Oregon
Competition Finalist 2009

The site for the David Campbell Memorial is adjacent to an elevated freeway along the banks of the Willamette River. Our solution was to line the river bank with large blocks of white granite, representing all Portland firefighters, past and present. Among these are memorial stones, engraved with the names of the fallen, bathed in water, lit at night, visible from downtown. A sinuous white granite wall carves out space for a dock and a noise sheltered alcove for the firefighters' bell, and their annual service. A large floating platform is moored against the steps to allow for large gatherings within the noise shadow of the river bank and where the fireboat “David Campbell” will retire and be permanently moored, part of a future firefighters' museum.