National Pulse Memorial & Museum (US)

As LGBTQ+ and LatinX family, June 12, 2016 forever changed our lives. On that celebratory night, the likes of which we have participated in countless times, all went black. We feel a deep connection to those taken and impacted, so for them we must never forget that Pulse nightclub was and should always remain brilliant, glittery, and gay.

We propose a memorial with a garden and sanctuary that is both solemn and celebratory. The sanctuary sits within a contemplative sound garden of cypress trees, natural ponds and 268 reflective columns, each of which honors the life of someone who was affected but survived the shooting. A sound installation integrated into the columns will create a symphony of music when visitors approach them. A delicately draped, beaded shroud protects the walls of the original club. Ascending above the original structure, one enters the sanctuary, which is suspended on 49 rainbow-colored ceramic tile columns commemorating the 49 lives taken. They dance as they did that night, and ascend towards the sky, unbroken and strong, while physically supporting the roof and the floor. Circular glass openings surrounding these columns open views down to see the original club and dance floor below while tinted glass skylights fill the space with shimmering colored light from above. A perimeter scrim covered with mementos left by mourners displays the names of the 49 victims.

A future museum that promotes acceptance and tolerance is proposed in order to spread knowledge in the hope that one day this new center will prevent hateful events such as those that happened at Pulse Nightclub from ever happening again.