Mata + Garcia Architects Sketchbook: San Benito Veteran's War Memorial

July 4, 2011 saw the grand opening and dedication ceremony of the San Benito Veteran's War Memorial, a pro-bono project designed by Christopher Collins of Mata*Garcia Architects LLP, Hinojosa Engineering (Structural), Halff Associates (MEP), Guzman & Munoz Engineering and Surveying (Civil) and Cobblestone Engineering (Testing).

(The following information was placed in the dedication program.) Tribute to Our Pro-Bono Heroes: The City of San Benito and the Veteran's Advisory Board gratefully acknowledge the work of the design team that agreed to work pro-bono on this project as in their words, "Our way of giving back to the community of San Benito for our combined 20 years of working together on school and city projects."

Commenting on the journey from inception to completion of the San Benito Veteran's War Memorial, Fernando Mata, AIA, Partner of Mata*Garcia Architects LLP said, "In working closely with the Veteran's Board, we sought to carry-out the board's vision through the use of symbolic references at a location where many began and ended their military journey - the local train station."

"The Veteran's War Memorial acts as an historical touchstone." noted Mata. "It links the past to the present and enables people to remember and respect the sacrifice of those who died, fought, participated or were affected by conflicts. It will serve as a focal point for remembrance, both individual and collective. We are honored to have been a part of this effort."

Performing the day-to-day detail work on the project was Christopher Collins, an architectural intern who began working at Mata*Garcia Architects LLP in 2000 while working his way through Texas Tech University in Lubbock. Chris received his Master's of Architecture degree in 2005 and has continued with Mata*Garcia since. "My time on this project was approximately one thousand hours," Collins said, not mentioning a few sleepless nights spend worrying about certain aspects of the project.

"The scope of the project was fairly routine, but it is rare that we get to work on a project that carries as much emotional weight as this one," Collins noted. "The project was guided primarily by the photos from the old Spanish Revival style train depot. What we designed is an impression recalling the memory of the that time, while remaining true to current buidling techniques."

"All projects evolve from the day ther are conceived to the day they are finally completed. Establishing a vision early on with the Veteran's Advisory Board was easy. However, maintaining that vision and constantly seeking to improve on it, even through construction, was indeed our biggest concern as time and budgetary issues surfaced," stated Collins.

Collins adds, "It has been a great honor to have been involved on this project. As an American, I feel all of us owe a great debt to the men and women who have served in the armed forces. While we can never repay that debt to those who gave their lives for our freedoms, we can all contribute to honoring their sacrifice."

Speaking on behalf of the City of San Benito, Martha McClain - Community Liason stated the following: "Little did we realize when we first started, the vast amount of effort, skill and fortitude it would take to complete this much-beloved facility. In retrospect, it took great persistence and dedication from those citizens who conceived the idea; to those who promoted the concept; to those who persuaded officials to believe in the idea; to those officials who worked to find funding for its construction; to those who stepped-up and agreed to professionally design the Memorial; to those who will cherish and care for it in the future. This is truly a community-wide project."