John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza

The John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza is defined by a square, roofless room of white pre-cast concrete that rises thirty feet into the air. This structure, known as a cenotaph or open tomb, consists of seventy-two vertical columns. Most of these columns stop twenty-nine inches above the ground, creating the illusion that they are floating, while eight corner columns extend down to act as legs. At night, internal lights mounted at the base of each column reinforce this effect, making the heavy concrete appear as though it is held in place by an invisible, magnetic force.