Last Nuclear Bomb Memorial

For the Last Nuclear Bomb Memorial competition, we were tasked with designing a memorial in a decommissioned nuclear testing site. During our research, we were struck by the vast spread of radioactive fallout, a haunting reminder of how unprotected, unprepared, and unknowing nearby regions were in the aftermath of each test.

Our proposal centered on a series of interconnected, site-specific interventions designed to engage both the landscape and communities impacted by nuclear testing. The three chosen locations included:

• Manhattan, New York, where the decision to create the first atomic bomb was made;

• The Nevada Nuclear Test Site, which directly endured the effects of nuclear testing;

• St. George, Utah, which experienced long-term exposure to radioactive fallout.

The design aimed for restoration of the land through bioremediation and offered a symbolic gesture toward reparative justice for affected communities. The visual language drew inspiration from aposematic patterns in nature, which signal toxicity and danger, creating an aesthetic that reflects both the devastation and the potential for regeneration.