Christopher Cunningham

Dr. Patricia J. Guthrie

HUMA-1315-TC042 (Fine Arts Appreciation)

Final paper: The Vietnam Memorial

Architect: Maya Lin

Name of building: The Vietnam Memorial

Figure Number: 80 page 70

Date of construction: 1982

Location: Washington D.C.

Dimensions and Size: The wall is approximately 246.75 feet long which is made up of

70 separate blocks which are made of granite concrete paneling and is 10.1 in height.

Spanning element: steel and reinforced concrete

Materials: stone and concrete

What is the purpose of the building: The Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C. serves

as a place of memorial to those both living and dead who sacrificed their lives in the

Vietnam war. May Lin the one who helped construct the memorial wanted it to

give the visitor a feeling of peace and safety to show that this sacrifice was not in

vain but despite that it was an unpopular war it served a greater purpose to remember

the dead and the sacrifice they gave to America.

Consider the formal elements and how it relates to the purpose of the building:

The Vietnam Memorial stands as a wall made of black granite and stone reinforced

Concrete. It list over 58,261 names in addition to another 1200 inscriptions of those

either taken prisoner of war or are missing in action while in service in Vietnam. The

panel of names contains 137 lines. The first known causality is listed as Richard B.

Fitzgibbon June 8 1956 along with his son Lance Corp Richard B. Fitzgibbon following

in Sept 1965. All names on the memorial are listed in chronological order from first and

last name to casualty date. As you continue down the wall you notice that it faces both the

Washington and Lincoln memorial. It allows the viewer to take in the beautiful sites

surrounding the memorial with others near by which are surrounded by trees. The viewer

merges from a place surrounded by busy streets, and loud noise into a place of serenity

and of peace, which allows the viewer a moment of reflection and a spiritual experience.

What principles of design are informed into the architectural schemes:

The design of the Vietnam Memorial is asymmetric having neither balance or

symmetry to define it. The wall is comprised of black granite stone which comes from

Bangalore, India however all cutting of the granite was done in Vermont through a variety

of techniques such polishing and flame treating. The wall stands 246.75 feet in height

and width which makes the wall a total of 493.50 feet combined. It is composed of 70

granite panels. It has been constructed in a way so that it blends with it’s natural

environment and surroundings.

What is the importance of the building? Does it posses meaning beyond its purpose?

The purpose of the Vietnam memorial thorough the eyes of the architect is to remind of

of the sacrifice of those who had given their lives during the war. The memorial does not

just manifest itself by listing the names of these servicemen, it is more then just names on

Slate. It is to remind us that freedom comes at a price and that we should not take for

granted what men and women in the armed service have to risk at keeping America safe

even if it means losing your life.

References:

Source #1

Sayre, Henry M. A World Of Art. Pearson Custom Publishing, Boston Mass. 2006 Revised Fourth Edition Ch 4 pg 70 Fig 80

Source #2

Robert Campbell, "An Emotive Place Apart," A.I.A. Journal, May 1983 Retrieved February 5, 2006 from

http://www.greatbuildings.com/architects/Maya_Lin.html

Source # 3

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Webpage Wall information page:

http://thewall-usa.com/information.asp