NYC AIDS MEMORIAL case study + competition

A competition based studio to design a chapel in Manhattan honoring the victims of the AIDS epidemic, and the injustice and poor treatment they suffered in the 1980's. The underlying theme of the design was nobility; to honor the title to all those who braved through one of the worst tragedies of our time. To this day more Americans have died of AIDS than WWI, WWII, and Vietnam Wars combined. The chapel is meant to be a place of acceptance, solitude among neighbors, and self-recollection. It draws on spatial and spiritual cues from the Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi. It reflects the historical time period which saw the most turmoil related to the issue, by mimicking the post-modern language of the surrounding site. The site of the project is in proximity to a historic hospital that housed many of the patients, and also near the site of the historic riots for the demand of treatment. A once ugly scene has been transformed to an uplifting and bright location to reflect the renewed outlook toward humanity that we are lucky to enjoy today. One that begs for expanded acceptance and coexistence in order to ensure the longevity and well being of all people.

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