National Veterans Memorial and Museum

Allied Works Architecture, USA

The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio raises the bar for thoughtful design. Allied Works Architecture, known for their meaningful creations, was a perfect fit for this project. The firm won an international competition to design the memorial, and from early concept models they aimed to make an “iconic civic space that tells the story of veterans,” as stated on their website.

Chelsea Grassinger, principal at Allied Works, describes their vision for the structure as “lifting from the land.” Rising organically from the ground with delicately interwoven concrete bands, the design salutes the inner strength of our nation’s veterans. And the exterior isn’t the only feature crafted to honor their experience – the museum’s gallery sequence spirals inward, outlining the journey from enlistment to separation. Allied Works’ design complements the exhibit, symbolizing “the path that one would take entering the service, serving in the military, and returning from duty – it speaks to veterans coming back into civilian life,” Grassinger explained.

Vectorworks helped Allied Works move seamlessly from rigorous, ordered geometry to intrinsic documentation, all while coordinating across platforms with project partners such as structural engineers and landscape architects. “The ability Vectorworks has to allow one to see the graphic quality as you’re drawing resonates with the way we work,” said Grassinger. The legibility of design was critical to successful collaboration on this project.

Initially designated the Ohio Veterans Memorial and Museum, the building garnered so much attention that it was expanded to a national scale. With its poignant connection back to the land, the structure offers space for contemplation and admiration.

“The national designation elevated what we were bringing to the table,” said Grassinger. “This isn’t a war museum – it’s a museum that honors service across all battles.”

Originally appeared in Modus News 9

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Allied Works Architecture

Founded in 1994, Allied Works is a 40-person practice led by Brad Cloepfil from offices in Portland, Oregon, and New York City. Guided by principles of craft and innovation, Allied Works designs resonate with specificity of place and purpose; grounded in the belief that architecture provides meaningful insight into physical and ideological landscapes that engage public imagination and amplify a city’s cultural legacy.

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Floor plan by Allied Works Architecture. Photography by Jeremy Bittermann

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