PRE'S ROCK MEMORIAL
Competition project: honorable mention
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Year: 2020
On May 30.1975 Olympian Steve Prefontaine crashed his MG convertible into a rock outcropping and could not be freed in time to save his life. The location of the crash, known as Pre’s Rock, has been a site of pilgrimage since his death. Many visitors mark their visit to Pre’s Rock by leaving personal items. The City of Eugene collects the personal letters, medals, uniforms, bib numbers and other items regularly. The Rock, itself can be hard to find in Eugene’s Laurel Hill neighborhood but the site’s hilltop location gives it a commanding view of Willammette Valley north of Eugene, Oregon. The former task was to make this plase more markable, while balancing the site’s dueling public and residential scales.
photos of current situation
The site organization originated from a desire to separate pedestrians from vehicular traffic to secure the movement of people. The stairs are bifurcated and allows a person to make a circular detour around the memorial, thereby creating a promenade (1). Elevated walkways and stairs help to preserve the landscape while they do not require extensive maintenance.
The triangular platform, which can comfortably accommodate more than 50 people, is located in a place free of large trees near Pre's Rock. Extending the platform beyond the tree crowns will make it visible from the surrounding area and in turn will open up an expensive view from itself (2). The wide entrance to the platform makes it viewable and accessible. The narrowing endpoint becomes a place of solitude (3). The asymmetry of the platform forms a pleasant connection with Pre’s Rock, while the platform distances itself from the Rock without overhanging it.
axonometry
plot section
Additionally, an inflatable sphere with a mirrored gold surface can mark Press Rock during major athletics events thus will become the embodiment of the guiding star.
The Wall of Remembrance is a place where people can express their feelings. It is covered with concrete, which is easy to process. The relief and imperfection of the surface make manipulations easy, without fear of spoiling: attach objects, create reliefs, write, engrave, mosaic. In that way items left near Pre's Rock will be imprinted on It. With time, some artifacts will fade into the background or will be removed, and new layers will appear. Pre's Rock - is the reflection of today's feelings, while the Wall of Remembrance - their archive. It is humanized, it belongs to society, and just society is responsible for its creation. The silhouette of the wall is horizontal and does not create an oppressive feeling in the vertical direction.
