Hart Island Memorial | New York
A Space for Reflection, Remembrance, and Confrontation
A Space for Reflection, Remembrance, and Confrontation
This project commemorates those interred on Hart Island, New York’s Potter’s Field—an unmarked resting place for the marginalized and often forgotten. Embracing a bold and confrontational approach, the memorial seeks to uncover untold stories, provide a space for self-reflection, and enable acts of remembrance.
"Long ago, it was said that one-half of the world does not know how the other half lives. That was true then. They did not know because they did not care. The half that is on top cares little for the struggle and less for the fate of those who are underneath, so long as they can hold them there and keep their own seats." -
'How the Other Half Lives' by Jacob A.Riis
The stories reveal
Seemingly endless row of nameless caskets
Invisible
Self-reflection
Situated along Hart Island’s corroded shoreline, this memorial embodies the paradox of visibility and invisibility central to the island’s history. Its polished stainless steel structure reflects the environment, creating an illusion of transparency that symbolizes the anonymity of those interred.
Inside, 160 suspended Corten steel plates, draped with white cloths, represent the nameless individuals buried on the island. The precarious suspension evokes the fragility of life and the impact of societal neglect. Visitors can leave messages in sand on the lower floor, a space flooded twice daily by the tide, symbolically carrying their thoughts to those resting on Hart Island.
The design fosters reflection on life’s impermanence and the importance of human dignity, transforming the memorial into a place of connection, contemplation, and healing.
The design features simple, human-scaled forms, prioritizing comfort, practicality, and efficient movement for both visitors and staff. Reclaimed red bricks from demolished structures on Hart Island are used throughout, forging a tangible connection between the building and the island’s history, while imbuing the space with a sense of humanity.