Team PFS Studio
To learn more about the Monument, please visit the National Monument to Canada's Mission in Afghanistan page.
Images of the Design Concept
Team members
- PFS Studio, Landscape Architects
- Provencher_Roy, Architects
- Jonathan Villeneuve, Visual Artist
Design intent
In recognition of the multiplicity of perspectives and experiences recounted by Canadians who served in Afghanistan and their families, the Monument is designed as a collection of moments that collectively speak to the conflict, the loss, and a hopeful future.
The Monument promontory, a contemplative passageway is aligned with the Canadian War Museum’s Regeneration Hall and oriented towards the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill. The Monument metaphorically and visually bridges between war and peace and symbolizes the importance of the Mission in Canada’s journey for peace.
The central gathering space is expressed by a circle held by a perimeter wall, which emerges and submerges into the landform and obscures the space created within. The circle symbolizes the profound absence felt by those who lost loves ones through the Mission. Revealed within the void is a thin lens of water mirroring the sky above and creating an ethereal moment of reflection.
Transcript of the National Monument to Canada’s Mission in Afghanistan Team PFS Studio video
Video length: 1:31 minutes
The video contains both English and French descriptive text. There is no narration during this video.
The visual elements are 3D animation.
[Soft music playing]
[Text on screen: National Monument to Canada’s Mission in Afghanistan
PFS Studio, Provencher_Roy, Jonathan Villeneuve
“It’s our responsibility to recognize”
Interviewed Reservist and brother of Afghanistan war veteran who died of wounds.]
[Text on screen: Design intent
The history of Canada’s efforts in the conflict in Afghanistan is complex and multifaceted. We recognize and respect that Canadians, both those who served, and civilians have expressed varied perspectives about the Mission since it began in 2001. For this reason, we believe the National Monument to Canada’s Mission in Afghanistan should be expressed as a multidimensional gathering place offering moments of remembrance, honour, and reflection.]
[Sketches of monument design]
[Animated approach to the monument site]
[Text on screen: Approach from Booth Street
Rendering of entrance into monument site and interior space of monument]
[Text on screen: North entrance
Framed by a break in the sculpted outer wall, a glimpse from the north entrance reveals the promontory projecting towards the Peace Tower and the water lens capturing the reflection of the sky.]
[Text on screen: North plaza
The plaza provides a flexible space to accommodate various scales of occupation and gathering. From class-size field trips or formal ceremonies to a family or an individual perched on the terraced seating edge, North Plaza provides an opportunity to view the Promontory and water feature while taking advantage of the south facing aspect of the site.]
[Text on screen: Approach from Booth Street
Renderings of the promontory cutting through the monument site, passing over the water lens, people interacting with features in the walls of the promontory, a view of Parliament in the background]
[Text on screen: Promontory
A tactile and expressive feature, the promontory abstractly documents those impacted by the Mission. Perforations incised on the north wall chronologically represent the fallen soldiers while the surrounding broken score lines represent the effect the Mission had on all those who served and civilians who supported them. ]
[Rendering of a night view of the promontory]
[Text on screen: Promontory
The contrast and dynamics in light and shadow, created through the soft lighting washed along the promontory walls and walkway.]
[Text on screen: Approach from the south
Rendering of pathway leading to the interior monument space with seating areas, wall features and a water lens]
[Text on screen: South grove
The passage through the Maple tree grove creates an ephemeral entrance from the south and allows the promontory to be framed by the canopy of the Maple trees and the undulating landform blanketed by a palette of plants with multi-seasonal interest.]
[Rendering of bird’s eye view of monument design both during the day and at night and in different seasons]
[Text on screen: Bird’s eye
The Monument site will evolve throughout the day, night and year. Snow covered landforms and seasonal planting create a sculpted landscape contrasted by the dark promontory walls. The soft was of lighting along the promontory passageway and plaza provides a mesmerizing night experience.]
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