Prospective Memories: Futures of Monument Design

Abstract

As societies negotiate meaningfulness, their collective values are encapsulated by tangible artifacts produced through the activity of designing. Prospective Memories: Futures of Monument Design explores the role of design in shaping collective memory along with the resulting discourse generated by the monuments that inhabit our public spaces. These forms serve as physical embodiments of perceived significance and are designed with the intention to influence the value systems of future generations. Conventional design paradigms for monuments have emphasized permanence and unchangeability, leading to an inherited public memorial landscape that struggles to accommodate evolving community identities. This thesis proposes the re-evaluation of conventional monument design frameworks by using diegetic prototypes to explore prospective scenarios that transform monuments from static objects into active participants in cultural and political dialogues. Ultimately, this research aims to offer a point of reflection through which designers can critique the status quo, priming a future monument landscape that is better able to reflect and adapt to contemporary societal shifts.