Words by Francesca Perry
Babyn Yar, a wooded area in the west of Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, is the site of one of the worst massacres of the Nazi regime, which took place in 1941. As part of a long-term process to build The Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center (BYHMC) on the site, a ‘symbolic synagogue’ has been designed by Manuel Herz Architects to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Babyn Yar tragedy.
The Babyn Yar Symbolic Synagogue takes its design inspiration from pop-up books and from the historic wooden synagogues of Ukraine. When closed, the building is a flat structure that is manually opened, and then unfolds into a synagogue space.
Everyone needs their own space and this issue of design news features a number of projects that honour space in different ways. There are studio spaces on offer courtesy of a new award from Cockpit Arts and New Craftsmen gallery – two mainstays of the London craft community – for makers from underrepresented ethnic groups. The importance of a creative space is also recognised by charity Men’s Sheds Association, which creates community spaces where local people can gather and share skills. Finally, two museums show how commemorative space is important. London’s Museum of Home celebrates what makes us feel like we belong, Ukraine’s Babyn Yar Memorial Complex will become one of the world’s largest holocaust centres. Used in the right way, space can help us create, to celebrate and also to make sure we never forget.