Hurricane Maria Memorial

Designers: Miguel Quismondo & Jacobo Mingorance
Client: Hurricane Maria Memorial Competition
Built area: 700 sq.ft.
Competition Date: 2019
Location: Battery Park, NY

The devastating effect of the hurricane Maria eradicated the lives of countless people (at least 3,000 fatalities have been registered) and damages were above $90 million. We aim to bring awareness of the repercussion of the deadly hurricane while trying to achieve a level of comfort. At the same time, we try to reflect on the impact of the memorial in this residential neighborhood, its scale, shape and location as a gateway to the park and promenade. Therefore, we decided to propose the Memorial as a simple and recognizable geometry, a cylinder that could be easily identified. An object surrounded by a low wall that at the same time can be explored and creates an intimate experience in which the visitor can interact with the art. From the outside, we created a pure abstract form, that enhances the urban surroundings and becomes an iconic reference: a blue cylinder sits surrounded by a perimeter parapet. This isolated element refers to the island of Puerto Rico, and the deep blue color of the surface evoking the Atlantic waters surrounding the Island of Enchantment.

The perimeter wall that protects the blue shape is crowned with a bench, therefore stretching the intend to blend into the park. This wall also allows introducing a very gently sloped ramp, where the visitors will start losing height until they enter in a domed rotunda. The dome is perforated with an opening, creating an oculus that reminds us all the homes that lost their roofs. Entering this space, the guest is isolated, loosing reference with the outside world, only able to see sky through an oculus that will also bring natural light. This will allow us an opportunity to honor all the people lost in the disastrous storm, as their names will be displayed on the walls.

Given the information available, our proposal is not only feasible from a construction standpoint, but it also complies with all New York City building codes and ADA requirements. It is appropriately scaled, enriching the surroundings and creating an iconic landmark in at the West end of Chambers Street. We have chosen durable and maintenance free materials that will only require regular housekeeping. Additionally, a closing mechanism will add protection against vandalism or squatters.

We decided the Chambers Street overlook would offer the perfect opportunity to create a meeting point for the New York Puerto Rican community, a sense of place for them to gather and remember theirs roots and the lives of their fellow relatives and friends that were lost during and in the aftermath of the hurricane.

The solid ground of this site allowed us to develop a three-dimensional construction and we approached it with the understanding it would be perceived not only from the street level but also from all the windows of the residential buildings next to it. Therefore the Memorial has been carefully designed from every perspective and light spillover has been minimized to not disturb neighboring properties and night sky.