Located adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery, the US Marine Corps War Memorial is dedicated to all Marines who gave their lives for our country. It's visited by 1.5 million people annually, and it had no on-site visitor facilities—so the National Park Service engaged EYP to design a new comfort station and site upgrades to improve the visitor experience.

The memorial is a National Register-listed historic site, so maintaining its character was critical. The comfort station needed to blend into the scenery while being accessible. At only 1,000 square feet, the facility's imprint is minimal. Surrounding landscape elements like trees and lawn ensure the building blends in harmoniously, while its modern granite, brick, and glass design make it visible to users.

What does it take to add a comfort station to a national monument? You might be surprised! Because of the memorial's historic nature, new non-memorial buildings were not permitted by law until Congress passed legislation to approve the facility’s construction. We also needed to work with the US Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capitol Planning Commission on approvals, and the design needed to meet the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

The result? New restrooms, an office, a janitor closet, and a mechanical room. The building also incorporates sustainable features—its covered plaza provides protection from weather elements, and the design leverages seasonal conditions to enhance outdoor comfort. Roof and wall insulation improve heating and cooling, the lighting design decreases energy use, and the HVAC system enhances performance. Together, these features will halve energy consumption, benefiting both lifetime maintenance costs and the environment.