Inspired by the community’s deep connection to country music and the breathtaking landscapes of Las Vegas, Nevada, a memorial proposal aims to navigate and convey the wide range of emotions associated with the 2017 tragic mass shooting in Las Vegas and its aftermath.
The proposal for the memorial to be called “A Ribbon in the Sand” by Aaron Neubert Architects and studioSTIGSGAARD borrows from the natural elements, including the Colorado River carving its way through the Mojave Desert, the graceful contours of a guitar, the resilient form of a cactus, and the ancient fossil beds of Tule Springs. The memorial enclosure emerges from the landscape as a powerful symbol of unity, aims to honor the victims, survivors, first responders, and the affected community in the wake of the tragedy which took place on the occasion and site of Route 91 Harvest country music festival.
The enclosure will serve as a physical and symbolic boundary, separating the sacred grounds of remembrance from the bustling urban environment.
Through the seamless integration of stillness and movement, natural elements, and architectural form, light and shadow, and the interplay of sound and silence, the design aims to capture three significant moments of an individual’s and community’s healing journey within a continuous ribbon of time. This concept focuses on delivering a poetic and immersive experience for visitors, fostering a deep sense of connection, solace, and hope.
Other project collaborators are landscape designer, Agency Artifact; exhibit designer, Gallagher & Assoc.; lighting designer, L’Observatoire International; structural engineer, NOUS; civil engineer, Labib Funk + Associates; MEP engineer, ALFA Tech; and acoustics consultant, Chu & Dohn Assoc.
