West Hollywood AIDS Memorial

The City of West Hollywood has been a home and place of advocacy for the pride community. The AIDS Monument continues this legacy and honors those lost, those who survived, and the organizations formed as a result of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Many locals have personal experiences from the crisis. Fields of cast metal pillars (traces) combined with landscape, soundscape, and light tell these stories through a sequence of spaces. The arrival plaza invites and introduces visitors to the memorial. The first field of traces are arranged at random - allowing them to move freely and discover accounts from the past. The second field is denser – users are meant to feel the difficulty and loss of the epidemic. At the end, the respite grove offers peaceful space that can be used for gatherings and events.

The monument lies in a central part of the city, adjacent to the West Hollywood Park, the Pacific Design Center, an LA Metro station, the recreation center designed by LPA, and more. The 9,000 SF of additional programming ensure these stories are visible and integral to this community space.

The design features native landscaping and over 20% of the site is shaded. Energy-efficient light fixtures and the removal of turf ensure efficient park operation into the future.