National D-Day Memorial Master Plan

National D-Day Memorial Foundation,
Bedford, Virginia

THE NATIONAL D-DAY MEMORIAL is located on a 50 acre site in Bedford, Virginia. G&HA was commissioned by the National D-Day Memorial to assist in coming up with a conceptual master plan for the complex. The site consists of a well-developed, landscaped memorial, serviced by several utilitarian structures originally intended to be temporary in nature. The Memorial is beautifully conceived, but the visitor experience is diminished by the quality of the support structures, lack of clear organization, and a lack of indoor space.

The goal of the Master Plan is to plan for the evolution of the property and its development to become the center for learning and teaching. As a result, the Master Plan considers prospects for new enhancements including an education center, visitor services, a welcome center, event facilities, service areas, and additional exhibition space. G&HA went through a six month planning process, including research, design charrettes, discussion with key stakeholders, design and analysis of multiple alternatives for future development and enhancements. Our team analyzed existing code and site restrictions and the existing structures to determine viable options. The next phase prepared conceptual designs, including a site plan, as well as general cost estimates for the various options.