For immediate release: April 16, 2003

Design Workshop honored for Veterans Memorial Cemetery
of Western Colorado

GRAND JUNCTION, COLORADO – The United Veterans Committee of Colorado presented Design Workshop, Inc., with a Distinguished Achievement Award in Landscape Architectural Excellence at its 31st annual awards banquet on Sunday, April 13th, 2003, in Denver, Colorado. The Distinguished Achievement Award was presented to Design Workshop “in recognition and appreciation of their Professionalism, Expertise, and Skill in the landscape design and layout of the beautiful and serene Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Grand Junction, Colorado.” Lead consultant, TSP Five Architects, was also recognized for their contribution to the project.

After more than a decade of effort, western Colorado veterans groups successfully lobbied the state legislature for funds to support the planning and design of a new military cemetery in Grand Junction. Design Workshop was engaged in 1999 to assist in the selection of a 20-acre site, lead in the master planning of the cemetery and design all site and landscape elements. To express the dignity and pride of military service, formal rows of shade trees transect the grounds, creating a sense of order and spatial hierarchy. Traffic and incompatible uses, such as the Union Pacific railroad service yard, are separated by broad, grassy berms, creating a tranquil and contemplative atmosphere. The local landscape character is accentuated by a natural stream. The visitor center, ceremonial assembly area, columbaria and shelter for committal services are all oriented to the stream and to views of Mt. Garfield to the northeast and the Colorado National Monument to the southwest.

Pedro Campus, project landscape architect, describes the design process, “Design Workshop and the project team were inspired by the interactive design process with the Veteran’s Design Committee and the work sessions with the local veteran’s community. The plan for the cemetery, the organization of program elements, and the layers of symbolism that are evoked are a result of this close-knit process. Our task was to craft a plan that captured the emotional essence of the veterans group in an eloquent way, and was at the same time functional and respected the history, culture and environment of the region.”

In addition to the Veterans Memorial Cemetery honor, Design Workshop in collaboration with sculptor Larry Kirkland won last year’s national competition to design the Pittsburgh World War II memorial. That memorial was conceived as an outdoor urban museum along the Allegheny River. The design leads visitors through a landscape shaped by Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s mantra of “Duty, Honor, Country.” Fund-raising efforts for the memorial began last November.

Founded in 1969, Design Workshop practices sustainable design and planning on sites ranging from urban infill, parks and open-space projects to brownfield redevelopment and resorts. The firm has received more than 90 awards for design and planning.