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The National Eisenhower Memorial is being developed under the direction of the Eisenhower Memorial Commission, a congressionally-chartered agency.  The Commission, in conjunction with the General Services Administration (GSA) is selecting a memorial designer by means of GSA’s Design Excellence Program. The selection incorporates evaluation by design peers, GSA architects, and representatives of the Eisenhower Memorial Commission. 

“After eight years of effort, we are pleased to be at this stage of memorial development with a superb short-list of designers,” said Rocco C. Siciliano, Chairman of the Eisenhower Memorial Commission.  “They represent the highest level of American design today and demonstrate the significance of this national tribute to Eisenhower.”
The first of three stages of evaluation was completed on October 16, 2008, resulting in the preliminary short-list shown above.  Prospective designers were evaluated on a number of factors, including a sample of their constructed works and a statement of design philosophy.

The second stage of evaluations is scheduled for early December and will include a review of the lead designer and his design team.  The team evaluated at the second stage includes an architect, landscape architect, lighting designer, and information designer, as well as a project manager.  The final designer selection will be made in the third stage, now scheduled for late March 2009. 

A location for the National Eisenhower Memorial was selected in 2005 and approved in 2006.  The four-acre site lies between 4th and 6th Streets, SW, south of Independence Avenue.  It is surrounded by institutions connected to Eisenhower, including the Department of Education, which Ike founded as the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in 1953, and the National Air and Space Museum which houses artifacts of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), created by Eisenhower in 1958.

“Eisenhower deserves a truly iconic memorial,” said Carl Reddel, Executive Director of the Eisenhower Memorial Commission.  “His legacy of leadership, service, and integrity is an example to all Americans.”

The Pre-Design Program which defines the memorial design goals and requirements was completed earlier this year.  The first two volumes of the Pre-Design Program will soon be available to the public through the Eisenhower Memorial Commission website, www.eisenhowermemorial.org.

The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission
A memorial to honor and celebrate Dwight D. Eisenhower will be built on a four-acre site at the base of Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission was created by Congress in 1999 to manage memorial development.  The bipartisan Commission is comprised of 12 members — four Senators, four Representatives, and four private citizens.  It is led by Chairman, Rocco C. Siciliano, and Vice Chairman, Senator Daniel K. Inouye.  For more information, please visit www.eisenhowermemorial.org.

GSA’s Design Excellence Program
General Services Administration (GSA) instituted the Design Excellence Program to provide top-quality design talent for federal clients.  The Program includes a multi-step selection process and the use of private-sector peers, while retaining the competitive requirements of federal contracting.  The Program stresses creativity and streamlines the way GSA hires architects and engineers, substantially cutting the cost of competing for GSA design contracts.  The Program operates through GSA's Public Buildings Service (PBS).

Media Notes: For more information or to schedule an interview with the Commission’s Executive Director or Executive Architect please contact Octavia Saine at 202-296-0004 or via email at osaine@eisenhowermemorial.org.

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