PROJECT INTRODUCTION AND DESIGN OVERVIEW
Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS), located in Alexandria, seeks to create an outdoor memorial to honor Black individuals who were enslaved or employed on its campus during the era of legal segregation, up until 1951. This initiative is part of VTS’s 2019 reparations program, which aims to foster a sense of belonging among descendants by commemorating their ancestors’ perseverance and acknowledging the oppression they endured. A central feature of the memorial, requested by descendants, is a “Wall of Names” that lists the individuals who labored at VTS, with space to include additional names uncovered through ongoing research. Preserving and highlighting these names remains the project’s highest priority.
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The design process, developed over eight weeks, utilized a concept matrix and study models, evolving through three scales—campus, site, and core—to ensure the memorial is contextually appropriate, functional, and visually impactful.
My final design concept, titled “Conscience,” envisions the memorial as a sanctuary to honor the ancestors who endured enslavement while significantly contributing to VTS’s history. Inspired by hush harbors—secret gathering places where enslaved African Americans found spiritual solace—the design takes visitors on a symbolic journey along a linear path featuring four key landscape elements:
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Entrance with the Sculpture ‘Mary as Prophet’: Relocated to the memorial garden as a welcoming symbol.
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Wheat Field and Immanuel Chapel Ruins: The ruins of the chapel, once segregated for white worshipers, link the site to its historical context.
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Soul Lighthouse: A newly designed commemorative space for descendants at the heart of the memorial garden. It is a 50-foot tower constructed from red bricks reclaimed from the chapel ruins and interspersed with 290 glass bricks engraved with the names of enslaved ancestors. By day, sunlight passing through the glass projects these names onto nearby walls and the ground; by night, the illuminated tower becomes a radiant beacon, visible across the campus and surrounding roads.
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Labyrinth: A gift from VTS alumni, relocated to the memorial garden to celebrate the Black community.
Together, these elements narrate a journey from darkness to light, symbolizing resilience, hope, and transformation. The memorial garden functions as a living historical museum, integrating key moments and elements from the past to tell the stories of enslavement.​
