Project Brief
CALL FOR DESIGN PROPOSALS
For The George Perry Floyd Jr. Memorial Competition, we are calling for submissions for a memorial that honors George Perry Floyd, Jr., the global uprising against racial injustice that followed his death, and the communities united in the ongoing struggle for racial equity.
Participants are invited to interpret and define the focus of this memorial.
Proposals may choose to :
Celebrate George Perry Floyd, Jr. the man and his life as a father, friend, and community member
- Reflect on his personal history, his hopes, and the love and dreams he shared with those around him
Engage the importance, impact and the significance of the global movement ignited in his name
program site
This site is located at the intersection of 38th and Chicago and is the exact location where George Perry Floyd was murdered. The City has allocated approximately 2,247 square feet (24.8 feet by 90.6 feet) along Chicago Avenue as a space for the memorial. The site map below shows the site. A digital file of the site can be accessed by clicking here.
submission requirements
PART I – OPENS: December 15, DUE: January 12
10 Students selected by Judges to move onto PART II
10 page max 11″ x 17″ pdf – no more than 10 MB
Cover Page
300-word essay description of what designing a memorial for George Floyd means to them and how does a memorial connect with the local community and its history.
Portfolio of your creative work clearly labeling and indicating your role (if a team project).
Your portfolio should include:
3–5 representative projects from your academic coursework, personal design explorations, or professional/volunteer experiences.
At least one project that shows concept development and process (e.g., sketches, models, iterations, or research informing the design).
At least one project that demonstrates spatial thinking and technical ability, such as architectural landscape or prototype or art planning/drawings, site plans, or renderings.
PART II – OPENS: January 20, DUE: February 28
Students are awarded a $250 stipend to commence work and $250 upon submission of completed Competition Boards.
DELIVERABLES
Two Competition Boards
Size: 22″x34″ (landscape or portrait)
Format: Single high resolution PDF
Participants may include an optional narrative of up to 300 words that describes the proposed design in greater depth. This narrative may be submitted as a separate document or incorporated directly onto the presentation boards.
The narrative may address questions such as:
- What is the central concept of the memorial, and how does it honor the life and legacy of George Floyd for his family and the surrounding community?
- In what ways does the design engage with the local community, its history, and the broader context of George Floyd Square?
- How do the chosen materials, spatial elements, and design strategies create a meaningful relationship with the site?
The purpose of the narrative is to help reviewers understand the intentions behind the design, the inspiration that shaped it, and the objectives it seeks to achieve.
PART III – FINALISTS ANNOUNCED: march 3
3 Student Finalists are chosen to move onto the Global Competition.
Recommended submission content
1. PROJECT VISION
Title: For example “The Breathing Space”
Keywords: Breath, Memory, Resistance, Presence, Transformation, etc.
Statement: For example – “From the place of one man’s last breath, a call for justice breathes outward into the world.”
2. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
Dual narrative: George Floyd the man + the movement against systemic racism
Local materials + global technologies
Emphasis on ongoing community involvement
3. MEMORIAL ELEMENTS
(Some guides, use your own talents as a guide and feel free to include some of these suggestions based on your design!)
Physical
Sculptural vessel at the exact site of death
Material ideas: corten steel, translucent resin, etched names
Open sky element for breath/light passage
- Healing landscape or constructed nature
Digital
Night-time holographic projections on nearby buildings
AR experience of stories and names via mobile device
Community wall / interactive archive
Sensory
Audio breath pulses, curated playlists
Projected voice quotes from Floyd and others
Site Integration
Street/memorial section showing how the memorial embeds or floats above the pavement
Plan showing interventions extending into crosswalks and sidewalks
Lighting elements integrated into signage, benches, or light poles
Urban Relationship
Perspectives showing approach from each of the four corners
Connection to traffic calming, gathering, protest, and ceremony
Diagram of memorial’s visible and symbolic range
High-quality visual representations of the proposal.
Drawings
Context Plan: full intersection with memorial zone
Sections: vertical slice through sculptural memorial
Street Elevations: day and night
Axonometric: exploded view showing materials, tech, foundation
Detail Drawing: baseplate, light integration, (hologram) mount, materials
Lighting & Atmosphere
Day/Night Rendering/s
Breathing pulse lighting diagram
Seasonal mood sketches (snow, fall leaves, rain, summer gathering)
Eligibility
Open to Minnesota students age 18 and above, including college, and graduate students. Submissions can be made individually or as part of a team (maximum 2 people).
Participants must be currently enrolled/affiliated in an academic/arts institution at the time of submission.
Judging Criteria
Evaluations will consider the following factors:
- Judgment Framework: Principles and ideas related to creative vision,, social context, impact.
Core Criteria: Cultural context, Community Integration, Symbolism, Innovation, and Creativity.
Core Criteria Explained:
Symbolism, Social & Cultural Context
The design should carry strong symbolic weight, offering layers of meaning that resonate with the themes of justice, remembrance, and healing. It should be legible to the public while open to deep interpretation.
The design must engage with the history and meaning of George Floyd’s life, the events at 38th & Chicago, and the broader struggle for racial justice. It should honor George Floyd’s family, reflect the humanity of those impacted, and respond to the lived experiences of the neighborhood.
Community Integration
The design must embody community values, voices, and participation. It should feel welcoming, healing, and inviting — a space where people can gather, reflect, and connect.
Creativity Innovation & Feasibility
The design should demonstrate creativity and originality, while also presenting a compelling aesthetic vision. It must balance beauty with clarity, ensuring the memorial is engaging and visually impactful. The design should push forward new ideas or fresh approaches to memorialization, while remaining realistic and buildable within the urban context of 38th & Chicago.
