Oshinówò Studio Adds Glass Prism to Freetown War Memorial
A new glass structure honors the forgotten Sierra Leone Carrier Corps members.
1Historical Recognition Project
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has unveiled a new memorial in Freetown, Sierra Leone, to honor the Carrier Corps. Designed by Oshinówò Studio, the structure sits atop an existing 1931 monument created by British architect Edwin Lutyens. This addition serves to rectify a historical omission regarding the local men who served.
2Addressing Past Omissions
The original 1931 memorial honored soldiers who died during the first world war but excluded the 946 members of the Sierra Leone Carrier Corps. These men were enlisted specifically to transport vital supplies and materials during the conflict. Their names are now permanently etched into the new structural glass pyramid addition.
3Architectural Design Philosophy
Tosin Oshinówò, founder of Oshinówò Studio, designed the glass prism to follow the tapering geometry of the original stone monument. By rising higher than the existing structure, the new design elevates the names of the Carrier Corps. This material symbolism aims to resonate across diverse cultural contexts and historical narratives.
4Symbolic Positional Reversal
Placing the names of the Carrier Corps higher than the soldiers was a deliberate symbolic gesture by the design team. Oshinówò noted that this reverses the traditional relationship between those who served and those who were served. It acts as a profound expression of gratitude for their fundamental wartime sacrifices.
5Illumination and Visibility
The memorial features a specialized laser beacon designed to be illuminated on significant days of remembrance. According to the project team, this column of light is visible from up to five kilometres away. This feature ensures the monument maintains a presence in the Freetown skyline during important commemorative events and dates.
6Restoration of Original Structure
As part of the broader project, the original 1930s stone memorial underwent a full restoration process. Skilled stonemasons and bronze specialists from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission were employed to repair the site. This ensures the integrity of the Lutyens design is preserved alongside the new contemporary glass prism installation.
7Context of Modern Memorials
This project joins a series of recent international memorial designs featured in architectural discourse. Other notable examples include the contemplative memorial to Queen Elizabeth II by Foster + Partners and a park in Ethiopia dedicated to the victims of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash, reflecting global trends in commemorative architecture.
8Significance of the Intervention
The project highlights the importance of re-evaluating colonial-era monuments to include previously marginalized voices. By integrating modern glass elements with historic stone, Oshinówò Studio creates a dialogue between past and present. This intervention ensures that the contributions of the Sierra Leone Carrier Corps are finally recognized within the public landscape.
Original article: Dezeen — Oshinówò Studio Adds Glass Prism to Freetown War Memorial