Northeastern University, Veterans Memorial

Boston, Massachusetts

Firm

Pressley Associates, Landscape Architects

Client

Northeastern University

Area

10,000 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$1,100,000

The Northeastern University Veterans Memorial honors the memory of those soldiers—students of Northeastern—who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The memorial provides a place for contemplation, reflection and remembrance.
The project’s significance lies in its ability to transition between public space and private outdoor space seamlessly. Three parallel elements co-exist to organize the site: a contemplative garden that honors the fallen soldiers, a public plaza for ceremonial events, and a black granite wall with poignant images of each conflict. Plant material was selected to strengthen these spaces.
The polished granite wall dividing the memorial space is dual-faceted. The southern elevation features a laser-etched mural depicting iconic images of various American military conflicts. The northern facade is the focal point of the memorial; each lost soldier is represented by a single, stainless-steel plate. A 48-foot-long granite bench defines the northern edge of the memorial space.
Thirteen bands of flush granite, along with 50 small LED lights abstracting the American flag, unite the spaces.