The Landscape Architect, a team of architects, engineers, archeologists, environmentalists, surveyors and other specialized professionals to develop an extensive site investigation, conceptual planning and consensus master planning process. The LA was the lead discipline in this master planning effort, which began with the preparation of a "Site Characteristics Report" an culminated with a 50-sheet "Master Plan" drawing set which will be used to guide development of the cemetery for the next 60 years. The result of this master plan process is illustrated in the color Master Plan (included in binder) and is being utilized to develop Phase I implementation. The LA led the design team through the Master Plan and is currently intimately involved with leading the development of construction documents, thereby providing assurance of adherence to tine common version developed in tine master planning process.

Through demographic research performed by the Department of Statistics within the Department of Veterans Affairs, the programming of tine cemetery called for the siting of 112,000 burial sites, 3,000 columbary, a public information center, ceremonial assembly area, a main U.S. flag area, an administration and maintenance complex, fire committal service shelters, a memorial walkway, main entrance, carillon tower, veterans' memorial and an extensive roadway system. The LA interviewed staff at the Department of Veterans Affairs and researched data, standards and practices at VA cemeteries. This research allowed the LA to gain a full understanding of each program element, its relationship to the other elements and the role of all the elements in contributing to the overall success of a national veteran’s cemetery.

The LA used the knowledge of the program elements and the site to create an opportunities and constraints "framework plan" which was used to guide development of master plan alternatives. The LA developed three distinct master plan alternatives (see slides) -- each with its own particular merit. Using the design criteria for the program elements and responding to the land and the opportunities offered by it, the LA clearly conveyed the fact that the "preconceived" design thinking about the layout of the cemetery should give way to process and analysis-oriented master planning which embraced response to the land, and not to purely political desires. The result of this response to program element function and the application of these elements to the unique and individual personality of this site is a master plan respectful not only of those who will be interred there, but respectful of the characteristics of the property itself.

The Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery will become a true landmark on the regional landscape of North Central Texas. The fact that this is the only national cemetery planned for North Texas alone relegates the project to a very unique status within the region; however, its true measure of importance is that the cemetery will be a permanent national monument dedicated to honoring all, who have served in the United States armed forces and to the rich heritage of freedom that characterizes our country.