Six teams advance to final stage of Pulse Nightclub Memorial competition in Orlando

Shortly before the start of Pride Month, onePULSE Foundation announced the six interdisciplinary teams shortlisted for the final stage of the Pulse Nightclub Memorial design competition. The two-stage competition was launched to seek ideas for a memorial, museum, and associated communal space that will honor the 49 victims killed in the Pulse Nightclub tragedy in Orlando in 2016, as well as support the survivors, families, and first responders in the aftermath of the tragedy. 

The first phase attracted an overwhelming response with submissions from 68 teams representing 19 countries; a total of 168 firms and 47 individual artists participated in the 68 submitting teams. In phase one, teams had to provide their credentials, showcase their relevant experience, and state how they believe architecture might embody onePULSE’s mandate, “We will not let hate win.”

The jury then selected six top-notch teams to advance to the second and final stage. They are:

• Coldefy & Associés with RDAI, Xavier Veilhan, dUCKS scéno, Agence TER, Prof. Laila Farah 
• Diller Scofidio + Renfro and Rene Gonzalez Architects with Raymond Jungles, Inc.
• heneghan peng architects, Gustafson Porter + Bowman, Sven Anderson & Pentagram 
• MASS Design Group, Ralph Appelbaum Associates, Sasaki, Sanford Biggers, Richard Blanco, Porsha Olayiwola
• MVRDV, Grant Associates, GSM Project and Studio Drift
• Studio Libeskind with Claude Cormier + Associés, Thinc, and Jenny Holzer

In the coming months, the finalists will have the chance to meet with onePULSE leadership, a victim liaison, and a survivor as they develop their design concepts. The proposals will be exhibited in early October, and then one winning design will be announced by late October. The public will also be able to provide feedback. 

“As a survivor, I am very honored to be a part of the selection process, and it was humbling to receive so many demonstrations of love to the community through the design contest. The submissions really showed that Pulse resonates all across the globe, and I can’t wait for the final stage of this competition,” said Ricardo J. Negron-Almodovar, a survivor and onePULSE Selection Committee member, in a statement.

Scheduled to open in 2022, the memorial and museum will include the Orlando Health Survivors Walk and will be built on the site of the Pulse nightclub.