Dallas Holocaust Museum

This competition entry for a new Dallas Holocaust Museum is envisioned as a solid core enveloped by a transparent veil, accessed through a thoughtfully designed garden. The garden and plaza serve as both a civic space and a transition from the street. The lobby, conceived as a pavilion within this garden, features transparency at ground level, while massive stone walls enclose the upper levels. The ground floor includes essential functions such as a theater, special exhibit areas, classrooms, a children’s exhibit, prefunction spaces, and circulation areas. These public spaces are enclosed by a glass veil, allowing visibility from the exterior while maintaining privacy and light control through interior partitions. The core structure, clad in rough gray granite in horizontal layers, houses the permanent exhibit on the second level and the library and administration offices on the third level. Apertures in the stone provide serene spots for respite and glimpses of interior activities from outside the veil. At the south end of the garden, a dramatic three-story glass wall is adorned with 60,000 stars, each symbolizing 100 souls. As the sun moves, shadows of the stars traverse the garden, creating a poignant and dynamic visual experience. This glass wall stands as a powerful symbol for the museum, embodying the memory and impact of the Holocaust. This design aims to create a space that is both reflective and educational, providing a profound experience for visitors while integrating seamlessly with the surrounding urban environment​.