June 5th Memorial Park

Lead Designers Scott Aker, AIA; Barb Fox; & Al Borden, FIALD, CLD

Entry Description

On June 5th, 2013, a reckless demolition at 2138 Market street Philadelphia collapsed a party wall killing six innocent people, injuring many others. The June 5th memorial arises out of the (20’x 125’) building footprint where a Salvation Army thrift store once stood. The narrow of the memorial appears large and welcoming through oblique geometries, chamfered edges, and landscaping. The memorial remembers the victims with light, color, and transparency; while celebrating the new demolition safety regulations adopted by the City.

Unlike demolition, where something is taken away, the central source of inspiration for this memorial came from leaving the discovery of the victims’ body as a constant reminder of the preciousness of life over a rush for demolition. This important signifier creates a “constellation of memories, inspiring the use diagonal geometries to create a sense of enclosure around this special spot. Using the framework of the victim markers, the lot is divided into two rooms - a sacred area (where the victims died) and a reflecting area (to celebrate life and promote future programming activities at the park).