Design Concept

The central focus of the memorial is the Memorial Water Wall, where the 49 Angels are collectively honored. In front of the wall is the Memorial Reflecting Pool, thoughtfully centered on the location of the Pulse dance floor, set within the perimeter of the Pulse Nightclub building outline forming the Memorial Plaza.

Surrounding the Memorial Plaza is the Angel Ellipse, a canopied walkway, where each Angel is individually recognized on dedicated canopy columns. This space offers loved ones a place to leave flowers and other mementos in remembrance.

At the southeast corner of the property will be the Memorial Prism Tower, a stylized illuminated 49-foot-tall tower that references the historical Pulse sign and logo. 

To preserve the emotional and psychological connection many individuals have with the original Pulse Nightclub and to ensure these symbolic attachments are never removed from the site, elements of the Pulse building are being incorporated into the design, including a portion of the dance floor, which will be preserved beneath the Reflecting Pool, the breach wall, salvaged in whole, to be preserved beneath the Memorial Obelisk and recycled concrete from the original building, to be utilized within elements of the overall memorial.

The below conceptual design includes:

  • Memorial Plaza and Reflection Space: Formed by the footprint of the original Pulse building, the central focus of the Memorial Plaza is the Memorial Water Wall, where the names of all 49 angels are inscribed, a Memorial Reflecting Pool in front of the Memorial Water Wall is thoughtfully positioned and sized to the nightclub’s dance floor and a Memorial Obelisk positioned within proximity to the breach point of the nightclub who’s moon gate opening provides sightlines and orientation towards the Memorial Survivor’s Common.
  • Survivor’s Commons: A Survivor’s Tribute Wall with an original quotation is positioned within a landscaped open lawn zone that will include a seating area next to a designated Survivor’s Tree providing symbolic meaning towards peace, healing, resilience and memory. 
  • Private Gathering Space: Providing a quiet space for personal contemplation of healing, forgiveness and assisting with moving through the grieving process.  The area physically surrounds and holds the visitor within an elliptical ring of rainbow-colored glazing and overhead canopy shade system with a central oculus framing the sky and heavens, with encompassing seating to encourage resting and contemplation. Located here are the Angels Personal Effects Capsules, where Angel Families can permanently place personal mementos of their Angel, have a place to be close to them.  The views from the Private Gathering space are aligned back towards the Survivor’s Common to symbolically link these two spaces together.        
  • Angel Ellipse: Spanning the entire property is an “Angel Ellipse” a covered accessible walkway, which features large canopy columns where the 49 angels are individually honored with their name and the flag representing their country of origin. Each column on the Ellipse has a place where loved ones can rest, leave tributes and mementos to their angel. 
  • Healing Garden: The garden is designed to allow for contemplation and memorial decompression in natural setting.
  • Prism Plaza: An iconic hardscape plaza designed to seamlessly integrate with the existing Orange Ave streetscape containing the United States flag a row of National flags to represent the country of origin of the Angels, the State of Florida and the City of Orlando flag, as well as a Prism Tower which is envisioned to be a stylized 49 foot tall corner monument that references the historical Pulse sign  Morning’ symbolically a new day and a new beginning for the city and all who have been affected.  
  • Visitor Pavilion: Intended as the memorial public face along Kaley Street providing a welcoming and memorable day and nighttime presence.  The building form is to reflect elements of the exhibition design with strong transparency between interior and exterior spaces for after hours and evening viewings.  The basic program of the facility will contain exhibition spaces containing original elements from the Pulse Nightclub, gathering areas, public restrooms and administrative spaces.  To meet the City’s sustainability goals, it will achieve a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification rating of Silver.

 

*Click on an image below to make it larger.

Wide aerial view of an entire memorial site including a curved entry structure, landscaped walkways, colorful glass elements, trees, and the central plaza with a rainbow-colored rectangular installation. Surrounding streets, sidewalks, and buildings frame the space.

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Evening rendering of a memorial plaza illuminated with soft lighting. Visitors walk around a glowing rectangular installation in the center, surrounded by flowering trees and a long black wall inscribed with text and artwork.

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Aerial rendering of an outdoor memorial plaza featuring a long rectangular interactive surface with shifting rainbow colors. Visitors walk along wide stone pathways surrounded by trees, sculptures, and a large black wall engraved with text and artwork.

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Ground-level rendering of a memorial walkway lined with tall panels and sheltered by a curved canopy. The path runs alongside a grassy area with trees and seating, and a large engraved black wall is visible in the background.

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The healing garden. circular memorial pavilion with curved seating, perforated metal ceiling, and colorful vertical glass panels casting multicolored light onto the floor. Several people sit or walk through the open-air space, which has a large circular skylight above.

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Street-facing view of the memorial entrance, showing a modern curved canopy supported by columns, landscaped greenery, flowering trees, and walkways leading into the plaza.

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Preserving the Legacy of the Original Pulse Site 

Plans to preserve and repurpose elements of the original Pulse building are being undertaken to ensure the symbolic context of the Pulse Nightclub and the memory of the Angels are never removed from the site and are infused within the entire Pulse Memorial include the following: 

  • Concrete from the original building will be recycled and reconstructed into elements of the memorial. 
  • A portion of the original dance floor will be removed and placed beneath the reflection pool, sitting within the footprint of where the dance floor once stood. 
  • The breach wall will be salvaged and placed at the foot of the obelisk located in the center of the memorial. 
  • Angel’s personal effects will be collected and permanently placed within the Private Gathering Area’s Angels Capsules to ensure that families and loved ones can find a place to be close to their Angels in an intimate setting.  

These elements are intended to preserve the spirit of Pulse - a place known for music, dance and community - while honoring the lives taken and ensuring the site’s history remains part of the memorial experience.  

 

Initial Design Sketches

Video - Jay Hood, Catalyst Design Group, provides a detailed description of the three design concepts presented and discussed at the Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee during the November meeting.

 

 

Design Sketch - Option 1

Pulse Memorial Design Sketch Option 1

Download JPG of option 1(JPG, 211KB)

Design Sketch - Option 2

Site-Organization-Option-2.jpg

Download JPG of option 2(JPG, 195KB)

Design Sketch - Option 3

Site-Organization-Option-3.jpg

Download JPG of option 3(JPG, 219KB)

Refined Design Concept

At the December 12, 2024, Pulse Memorial Advisory Council Meeting, design assistants presented a refined design concept for the future memorial. This concept incorporated elements that gained a consensus amongst committee members, survivors and families of the victims.

The below conceptual design includes:

  • A Memorial and Reflection Space: Formed by the footprint of the original Pulse building 
  • A Reflection Pool: Positioned where the dance floor was, symbolizing peace and remembrance 
  • 49 Columns: Each column honors one of the 49 victims
  • Private Gathering Space: Providing a quiet space for personal reflection
  • A Healing and Prism Garden: A garden designed to represent hope and healing
  • Educational Pavilion: Intended as a respectful space to reflect on the historical significance of the site, and pay tribute to loved ones who are commemorated

View the presentation slides from the December 12, 2024, meeting(PDF, 21MB). 

Watch the rendering flyover video from the presentation:

Watch a video describing the latest design concept:

*Click on an image below to make it larger.

Aerial shot

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Ellipse columns with rainbow colors outside looking in

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Ellipse columns with rainbow colors close up

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Underneath ellipse looking at visitor pavilion

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Next to visitor pavilion

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Underneath ellipse

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Underneath ellipse

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Entrance with parking lot and visitor pavilion

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Survivor commons with names

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Looking at memorial from outside

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Outside view of ellipse

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Memorial pond

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Memorial pond

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Memorial pond

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private gathering space

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Survivor commons - shoes

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Survivor commons - shoes

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Survivor commons - shoes

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Survivor commons - shoes

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Committee's Final Design Concept

During its meeting on February 4, the Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee finalized the vision and conceptual design for the future permanent memorial at the Pulse site. The conceptual design incorporated elements and feedback from the victims’ families and survivors.

For reference, below image is of the current Pulse site:

Full Pulse Site Map With Numbers

 

Current Design Concept

The below conceptual design includes:

  • A Memorial and Reflection Space: Formed by the footprint of the original Pulse building  
  • Survivor’s Commons: A Survivor’s tribute wall positioned in a landscape that will include a seating area next to a designated survivor’s tree 
  • Private Gathering Space: Providing a quiet space for personal reflection and an Angel Personal Effects Capsule where families can leave flowers, tie banners and place personal mementos of their fallen angel.  
  • Angel Ellipse Site: An accessible elliptical walkway with 49 Canopy feature columns honoring the 49 victims with rainbow color glass panels.  
  • A Reflection Pool: Positioned where the dance floor was, symbolizing peace and remembrance  
  • A Healing and Prism Garden: A garden designed to represent hope and healing 
  • Visitor Pavilion: Intended as a welcoming space that includes public accommodations, limited exhibition space and indoor gathering space.

View the presentation slides from the February 4, 2025, meeting(PDF, 32MB).

View video of this design concept (updated February 24, 2025)

*Click on an image below to make it larger.

Aerial view of courtyard

Aerial view of courtyard

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Columns

Columns

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Reflection space

Reflection space

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Street view at night

Street view at night

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Street view day

Street view day

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Wall with names

Wall with names

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