“Only in the forest did everything calm down in me, my soul became balanced and full of might.”

Each of the lives lost was a path through life. In their memory, we propose a memorial that is a path. The design is about the journeys lost, the community that has come together, and the path we are all now on.

The memorial takes one through a path in the woods of remembrance, contemplation, and hope. It is not a singular object. The design is a modest, subtle, elevated ring that moves through the diverse atmospheres of the landscape. It is conceived as an experience that offers positive emotional space for everyone’s kaleidoscopic emotions and thoughts.

For the bereaved, the memorial has personal symbolism of their loved ones’ lives and the beautiful paths through life which they lived together. The memorial celebrates these journeys. For those closest to the tragedy and their community, it is also symbolic of the journey they are now on. The memorial offers strength and emotional passage into memories of the past, experiences of the present, and hope for the future. For those more distant, the ring is a symbol of togetherness. The shape of the ring reminds us of the incredible community in Sandy Hook that has come together with unimaginable strength — and that we are all part of this community.

There are two primary layers to the design: the path and the landscape. The path is a gentle elevated loop. It has been shaped to connect the diverse range of landscape atmospheres on the site (the upper woodland threshold from the first field, the lower meadow, the lower threshold to the ponds, the lowland ponds, and the woodland hill to the east). A regenerative landscape plan is designed to amplify these atmospheres.

The shape of the path loosely resembles an egg. The inner ring of the path is a smooth gentle line. The outer ring of the path is a slightly turbulent line. The width varies from 5 to 15 feet along its roughly 1,000 foot length. The changes in width suggest moments of passage through different atmospheres on the site and the varying emotions of those visiting the memorial.

The memorial is made from two primary materials: wood and concrete. These materials have been selected for their poetry, local availability, and durability. The railings and columns which support the path are wood. Imbedded in the railing is a continuous LED lighting strip. The entrance to the path from the edge of the upper field near the parking, the two stairs along the length of the ring, and seating throughout are all wood. The wooden elements symbolically cradle the path. The top of the concrete is slightly arced to create a sense of softness and floating. It is made from standard regionally manufactured precast hollow core panels that have been thoughtfully modified. Careful detailing and locally selected concrete create the effect of softness. The railings and benches are all naturally oiled black locust wood.

The path changes in elevation with shallow inclines and descents. These slopes are less than 1:20 making the entire site accessible and easily traversable by everyone. At the entry from the upper field the path skims the earth at roughly one foot above grade. As it passes through the first meadow and moves further into the site, the ground drops further and further away from it. At its highest point, the path reaches nearly 25 feet in the air.

The site has a range of unique landscape conditions. These landscape conditions and the dramatic changes in seasons in New England, create constantly changing atmospheres. A regenerative landscape strategy restores natural habitats, vitalizes the ponds, and amplifies the atmospheres of the changing seasonal landscape. The passage of time through each season and changing colors, aroma, textures, and wildlife become part of the memorial experience.

The shape of the ring creates a physical and emotional inner sanctuary. At grade, the landscape plan includes trails which meander through the natural features of the site. From below, the path and the memories of those lost appears to float above.