Landscape architecture plays a crucial role in memorial design, particularly when it comes to monuments honoring those who served in wars. The design and layout of a monument’s surrounding environment are integral in creating a space that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also provides a sense of solemnity and reverence. This is particularly true when it comes to the design of Scottsdale’s Memorial for the Fallen.
Jim Geiser, an Arizona State University graduate, and US Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War, spearheaded the efforts to create the City of Scottsdale Memorial Action Committee with the aim of creating a permanent memorial to honor Scottsdale residents who died in service to the nation. Scottsdale Memorial for the Fallen, a nonprofit organization, was established to raise funds for designing, engineering, and constructing the memorial. Geiser played a significant role in raising over $300,000 to support the initiative. The City of Scottsdale provided a location east of City Hall, and multiple community organizations, foundations, and private individuals contributed to the construction of the memorial.
RVi was honored to collaborate with the contractor, JE Dunn to provide landscape architecture design for the monument. The memorial pays tribute to 66 US military service members from the Scottsdale area, including nearby Native American communities, who served with distinction and made the ultimate sacrifice over the past century.