Billy Maynard Architects has been announced the winner of a design competition for a new war memorial in Sydney dedicated to honouring the service and sacrifice of recent veterans.
The memorial will be located within the Domain, a large parkland that holds historical significance as the site of Sydney's first Anzac Day service in 1916. According to a NSW government communique, the memorial is intended to provide a "contemplative" space for contemporary veterans and their loved ones, allowing them to reflect on the contributions and sacrifices of those who served in the Australian Defence Force from 1990 onwards.
The memorial is circular in shape, formed by two crescents that intersect and are partially embedded within the grassy landscape of the park. This simple composition of elements is intended to "symbolise gathering, protection and unbreakable bonds," stated the communique.
Billy Maynard Architects' design was selected from a design ideas competition between small and emerging architectural practices organised by the NSW Office for Veterans Affairs, with support from the Government Architect NSW. Other participants in the competition included Breakspear Architects, Kaunitz Yeung Architecture, Other Architects, Retallack Thompson and Trias.
Architect Billy Maynard said the memorial was envisioned as a place for collective and individual healing. "It fosters remembrance and reflection through simplicity of form combined with finely resolved and caringly crafted detail," said Maynard.
"The unifying thread through the individual stories of loss in conflict is one of remembrance. This memorial creates an accessible place of gathering and recollection by combining site, seating, artwork and new plantings in a considered ensemble.
"It is a distillation of form to create a singular space, simple and appropriate, which above all honours the service of contemporary veterans and recognises the sacrifice of families. In this process we remember the enduring dialogue and connection that resonates between Australia and the places of service - between people and place."
