Healing
South Dakota Veterans Cemetery
Client: South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs | Location: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Date of Completion: 2021 (Phase I) | Area: 60-acre property
Design Summary
The South Dakota Veterans Cemetery is the first federally funded, state-owned and operated, veterans cemetery in South Dakota. This 60-acre property offers a picturesque setting in northereastern Sioux Falls, conveniently located along Interstate 90. The cemetery will serve veterans throughout the state and around the country, as there is no state residency requirement to be interred in the cemetery. Ultimately, it will provide spaces for over 28,000 burials.
We all die two deaths. The first time when breath leaves us for the last time, but we only truly die sometime in the future when no one speaks our name or tells our story.
Randy Reeves
U.S. Veterans Affairs Undersecretary
The Administration Building is located prominently on the entrance road, with enough distance from the main gate to allow for a large cortege to enter the cemetery without causing interference with highway traffic. Along with the entry signage, the Administration Building introduces the design language for the campus and relates to all other structures at the cemetery with the use of similar details and building materials. The Maintenance Area houses all the facilities supporting the interment operations and ground maintenance.
The Committal Service Shelter is the most important building structure on the site, providing an intimate semi-enclosed space for funeral services as grave site ceremonies are rare at veterans’ cemeteries. The structure provides space for the casket bier, visitor seating, Honor Guard presence, and protected storage. For more information about the Cemetery, please click here.
Koch Hazard Architects provided complete architectural, interior design and construction administration services for these buildings.
Project Highlight
The project was a 2021 People’s Choice Award Winner at the AIA South Dakota Convention.
Progress Photos
