rendering of Lafayette Hillside Memorial view from the road looking towards the memorial

Lafayette Hillside Memorial

A Place for Remembering

The Lafayette Hillside Memorial is a unique landmark.

​It is a sacred place of reflection and remembrance; a protest against forgetting. It is a place to honor service contributions in the U.S., Iraq, and Afghanistan conflicts, acknowledge the losses, and prompt public and individual reflection on the tragic costs of war.

Without political or religious affiliation, the memorial has universal appeal. Since its beginning in 2006, the site has evolved into a true place of healing, where Gold and Blue Star families pay tribute to their loved ones and veterans pay respect to fallen comrades. Travelers on BART and the nearby highway pause momentarily to take note of the remarkable installation and, if only for a moment, are prompted to consider the tragic costs of war.

Lara has served on the LHM Board and/or the Advisory Council in an architectural capacity to help the group visualize a future for a permanent memorial and to help ensure the legacy of the Crosses and its message is protected.

A creative placemaking project at its heart, the work shown here is collaborative in every way with the community itself, and The Founders and Dedicated Board of Directors.

Learn more about the Memorial’s history here or see a related project by Lararchitecture inspired by the installation.

rendering of Lafayette Hillside Memorial with woman and child sitting on bench looking at the memorial
rendering of Lafayette Hillside Memorial with people on the pathway looking at the memorial
rendering of Lafayette Hillside Memorial with people on the pathway looking at the memorial and a car driving by in the foreground

Concepts for an improved public experience with a community greenspace at the base of the hill, educational signage and accessible parking.

Lafayette Hillside Memorial website homepage screenshot
Concept sketch of the Lafayette Hillside Memorial Crosses Peace Memorial

Logo design and website development.

Park concept development has been underway since 2017.

rendering of pathway concept at Lafayette Hillside Memorial

Outreach and collaboration with local design professionals. Section above and guidance with plant lists by Envision Landscape Studio.

Presenters Speak to an audience at the Community Outreach Workshop at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center
Community Outreach Workshop at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center

Community Outreach Workshop at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center.

Series of collaborative studies and prototypes for an improved installation of symbols, intended to alleviate earth-to-wood contact and increase longevity for symbols as they are one by one replaced with new design.