Greater North Charleston Naval Memorial

The City of North Charleston approached BNIM and Burt-Hill with one challenge – create a unique memorial dedicated to the thousands of their men and women, both military and civilian, who have risked their lives fighting for our country and citizens. Located on the grounds of the former Charleston Naval Base in Riverfront Park, the memorial is organized along a visual timeline using architecture, graphics and landscape to communicate the evolution of three naval vessels built over the course of the Base’s operational years: the Landing Craft, the Submarine and the Destroyer.

Exemplifying integration between architecture and graphics, the memorial provides an experience for visitors, drawing them into a naval scene and illustrating the naval culture that shaped the city, its people and those who were stationed at the former naval base. Inspired by naval vessels from the 1920’s, the monument consists of a shell of curving panels surrounded by water channels that enhance the visitor’s journey. Reflecting the materials and aesthetics of Navy ships, the structure and graphics use metal cladding and printed metal collages to tell the story.