The Peace Pentagon

Add To Collection

The Peace Pentagon

Firm

Type

Cultural › Memorial

In Manhattan New York a small group of peace activists donate their building on 339 La Fayette Street, as a symbol of freedom, to the public domain. As a statement people around the world can buy a square inch of the building, in the BUY A PIECE OF NEW YORK campaign. Aside other nonprofit peace action, revenue of the campaign is used to facilitate the new Peace Pentagon administrative settlement elsewhere.The ransomed realm, revealing a botanical garden on the inside, can be used by anyone, as a sanctuary of freedom, offering neighborhood, community and stranger a place to contemplate/debate about the pacifists cause. Activities of Peace Pentagon, although located on a prime location in Manhatten, were unnoticed by many passerbies. For many years it has led an under the radar existence, functioning as vehicle for freedom and resistance against militarism and injustice. According to the friends of Peace Pentagon the more than necessary renovation and substantial repairs was an opportunity to rethink the building as a symbol of peace activism in New York City. By imposing the original monumental appearance of Peace Pentagon as memorial outward, the organization entered a new chapter in history; expanding the network by relocating only its administrative and internet activities, using its former location symbolically as catalyst for nonviolent action and demonstration. Tossing all characteristics into the cocktail of rethinking the Peace Pentagon; the limited budget, the building's deterioration, its monumental potential, the prime location and the tenants wish to create an interface on 339 La Fayette Street with the neighborhood; redevelopment of the building into a memorial function, although a bold move, proofed to be a successful one. In its ultimate gesture of freedom the former private property of Peace Pentagon is donated to public space in one of the world's most expansive ground price locations. A selfless architectural statement; done because it could be done. The BUY A PIECE OF NEW campaign was a big success. The income generating zone and the bare bones activism administration was disconnected after the reorganization. The idealist manifest is promoted as an icon of freedom on 339 La Fayette Street, the activists practical work on the other hand is now carried out elsewhere/invisibly/under the radar. The building is transformed into an icon, into an accessible for all memorial. The complete dismantlement of the old building narrates a post apocalyptic message of freedom and the iconic fade structure resonates as a memorial of the future. Next to being an addition to public space, Peace Pentagon has today become complementary to the cultural history and future of New York, amplifying the already existing recognition of the neighborhood for its cultural and educational institutions. The world wide attention on New York, by constant presence of students, tourists and pedestrians, gave the activists group the chance to make the ultimate statement of freedom: liberation of land, in the event offering counter balance to the tide of possession-ism in a more than prosperous area. Next event on the Peace Pentagon Memorial agenda is guided tour for an elementary school from the neighborhood along exceptional indigenous plants inside.

Product Spec Sheet

Were your products used?

Join as a manufacturer to add your products.

Collaborating Firms

Was your firm involved? Add it now.

Team

Franzo Di Pasquale

Architect, Strategist

Were you involved? Add yourself.

Keep Exploring Architizer by Creating a Free Account or Logging in.

The Peace Pentagon

The Peace Pentagon

Product Spec Sheet

Collaborating Firms

Team