Key words: Book, Community, Holocaust, Memory, Pop-up, Prayer, Torah
SYNAGOGUE interior - Photography: © Iwan Baan
Acting as a memorial and rebirth of Jewish presence in Kyiv, the Babyn Yar Synagogue serves as a space for Jewish congregation and worship. Designed as a ‘book’, the architect aimed to celebrate the shared act of prayer and remembrance whilst evoking the discovery of new worlds. The structure lays above ground, avoiding the disturbance of the earth.
Constructed from oak sourced across Ukraine, the synagogue entwines the past and present context through architectural form. Upon the synagogue walls are inscribed blessings from the Shema Yisrael (prayers of healing and hope).
As visitors raise their gaze, they can witness vivid symbolism of the destroyed synagogues and the starry constellation of the massacre’s night. A moment of remembrance, resilience, and preservation.
SYNAGOGUE Exterior - Photography: © Iwan Baan
SYNAGOGUE Exterior - Photography: © Iwan Baan
SYNAGOGUE Exterior - Photography: © Iwan Baan
SYNAGOGUE interior - Photography: © Iwan Baan
SYNAGOGUE Exterior - Photography: © Iwan Baan
SYNAGOGUE interior - Photography: © Iwan Baan
SYNAGOGUE Exterior - Photography: © Iwan Baan
SYNAGOGUE interior - Photography: © Iwan Baan
SYNAGOGUE interior - Photography: © Iwan Baan
SYNAGOGUE Artwork - Photography: © Iwan Baan
Concept Montage - © Manuel Herz Architects
Site Plan - © Manuel Herz Architects
Section - © Manuel Herz Architects
Elevation - © Manuel Herz Architects
Section - © Manuel Herz Architects
Section - © Manuel Herz Architects
Concept Montage - © Manuel Herz Architects
