Treadwell Memorial

This is a memorial to gold mining in Southeast Alaska. The structure takes visitors from the Treadwell trail onto the edge of a popular local beach, reclaiming a forgotten place that was once the largest gold mine in the world. A tangible tribute to this obscure period of history, this building kindles a connection between artifacts and the community. It is a liminal space, connecting ocean and mountain, past and present, civilization and wilderness. An investigation of the Treadwell Gold Mining complex influenced its form and function. Its foundation is two deep concrete footings that achieve stability in the loose tidal flat sand. Its building assembly is a result of model studies to understand the connections between the central wall, roof, and floor. This is the end result of a desire to build a meaningful place in Alaska.