The project: IMEG provided structural engineering services for the new Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Visitor’s Center. The center was designed to enhance the experience of visiting the only overseas American cemetery in the Pacific.

The goal: The objective was to create a structure that blends seamlessly with the landscape, preserving the solemnity of the site while providing a meaningful space for visitors.

The design: Nestled into a hillside with an entry at the second floor, the building features flat slab concrete floors and roofs, along with shallow steel framing to maintain a transparent and unobtrusive presence. Expanses of glass connect the interior to the surrounding landscape, while limestone elements on the façade reference the existing monument and gravestones.

The outcome: The completed visitor center provides a thoughtful and immersive experience, incorporating exhibition space, a 50-seat theater, administration and reception areas, and essential support functions, all while respecting the historical and emotional significance of the site.