US AIRFORCE MEMORIAL
ARLINGTON

Forged in Stainless Steel
In-grade luminaires are equipped with protective metal hoods that reduce and shield their aperture and provide even, low-glare illumination of the vertical wall surfaces. The honed granite walls serve as a backdrop for the polished inscription panels. The architectural materials and lighting work together to minimize the distracting reflections along the length of the wall that are commonly created with traditional uplights and polished granite panels meeting the floor.

Instead of using standard bronze hardware, the hoods are cast in stainless steel, matching the spire’s material and architectural integrity of the monument. The custom casting process is highly involved. Each piece is individually forged in a precision mold and hand-finished. With a fixed date for the dedication ceremony, the sequencing of casting and fabrication was determined years in advance.