Design Team
The Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation Design Team has been intentionally curated with a diverse set of experts, creatives, and individuals personally impacted by the war to ensure the Memorial reflects the magnitude of this ongoing international conflict.
Meet the Design Team
Kengo Kuma & Associates
The Foundation is fortunate to have Kengo Kuma, a name renowned in architecture around the world, leading its Design Team. Kuma san, along with his team at Kengo Kuma & Associates, is known for his poetic use of water, which brings a sense of tranquility and quietness that is ideal for this space of hope and healing.
Named one of Time’s “100 Most Influential People” in 2021, Kuma san has led design for some of the world’s most famous buildings, including the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo, the V&A Dundee Museum in Scotland, the Centro de Arte Moderna Gulbenkian in Lisbon, and the Rolex Building in Dallas, Texas. With offices around the world, Kuma san and his team will bring a global perspective to the Memorial to appropriately reflect the global nature of the Global War on Terrorism. This is not only important to the Foundation Board of Directors, Staff and Design Advisory Council but we also found it to be important to more than 80% of the Americans surveyed in our Help Design History survey.
“My passion for this project stems from my personal connection to 9/11 when I lost a dear friend. This Memorial will help the entire world contemplate the war of global significance that has followed that day of sorrow and the experiences of those who have participated in it. My team and I are eager to work closely with our many Design Advisory Council colleagues who will contribute to the Memorial’s aesthetic. Together, I am confident that we will create an enduring tribute to the men and women who have answered the call to protect Americans and the world from terrorism.”
– Kengo Kuma
Kengo Kuma was selected by the Foundation’s Board of Directors with input from the Designer Advisory Board. For more about Kuma san and his passion for designing the Global War on Terrorism Memorial, read his interview on our blog.
Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation
Design Advisory Council
Kengo Kuma and his team will work closely with the Board of Directors and the Design Advisory Council (DAC), a body consisting of more than 20 Gold Star family members, veterans, active-duty service members, and additional stakeholders, to help educate and advise the project team leads on the Memorial’s design.
These individuals will help breathe life into the design of the Memorial through their voices and stories, their incredibly unique and diverse perspectives, and their personal involvement to ensure that the Memorial reflects the experiences of all who have served and sacrificed in this ongoing conflict.
Design Advisory Council Co-Chairs
- Elliot Ackerman, US Marine Corps GWOT Veteran
- Jennifer Ballou, Master Sergeant (US Army, Retired), GWOT Veteran, Gold Star Spouse
Design Advisory Council Members
- Eva Marie Briseno, GWOT Gold Star Mother
- Joseph D. Briseno, Staff Sergeant (US Army, Retired), GWOT Gold Star Father
- Kirsten VC Brunson, Colonel (US Army, Retired), Veteran, and Mil Spouse of GWOT Veteran
- Elisabeth Burgess, GWOT Gold Star Step-Mother
- Terry A. Burgess, GWOT Gold Star Father
- Michael Cannelongo, US Army Sergeant Major and GWOT Veteran
- Michelle Cannelongo, GWOT Veteran and Military Spouse of GWOT Veteran
- Shannon Spann DeBruyn, GWOT Veteran and Spouse of first GWOT KIA
- Frank M. Dunlevy, US Army Vietnam Veteran
- Gregory D. Gadson, Colonel (US Army Retired), GWOT Veteran
- Alex R. Hernandez Jr., Sergeant Major (US Army, Retired), Retired CIA, and GWOT Veteran
- Rev. Dr. Darius J. Holland, Chaplain, US Army National Guard and GWOT Veteran
- Eduardo E. Loredo, GWOT Gold Star Child
- Jacob R. Rodríguez, Military Child and brother of GWOT Veterans
- McKenna Slutman, GWOT Gold Star Child
- Shannon Slutman, GWOT Gold Star Spouse
- Jennie Taylor, GWOT Gold Star Spouse
- Megan Taylor, GWOT Gold Star Child
- Ganpat “Gunner” V. Wagh (FBI, Retired), GWOT Veteran
- Jamie Walawender, Military Spouse of GWOT Veteran
- Keith “Wally” Walawender, Chief Special Warfare Operator, SEAL (US Navy, Retired) GWOT Veteran
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