乌克兰英雄军事墓地纪念综合体丨乌克兰利沃夫

THE MEMORIAL COMPLEX OF MILITARY BURIALS OF THE HEROES OF UKRAINE on Mechnikova Street in the City of Lviv

Architects: Guess Line Architects/ Andrii Lesiuk, Mykhaylo Kohut, Kateryna Ivashchuk, Yaroslav Ivaskiv, Yehor PerepeliukProject year: 2024Location: Lviv Ukraine

Respect is the core principle that guided us in the design of this memorial. Respect for the past, present, and future. For the defenders of Ukraine who rest here, and for the people who come to honor them.

The ceremonial area will not be a cold, empty, paved space, but a living environment that will attract visitors. Neatly planted trees provide shade and coolness, forming a place for comfort and privacy, allowing everyone to find moral respite and peace in unity with nature.

The chapel and information and amenity buildings are situated among the trees, adding to their coziness, while being conveniently accessible from the public area of the complex. The chapel has a simple, neutral design and can be used by people of all religions and denominations. Visitors can pay their respects to the fallen defenders and experience a sense of calm, undistracted by any obstacles. The only reminder of the outside world is the sunlight passing through the columns at the top of the building, symbolizing the light that awaits us at the end of the journey.

The information and amenity building boasts a light, open architectural style, blending harmoniously with the square. Its round shape makes it almost imperceptible, while the columns add elegance to the proportions and blend seamlessly with the chapel. The information center is fully glazed, offering views of the burial area on one side and the atrium with a projection wall on the other. Additionally, the building contains separate bathrooms, a sanitary room, and a security guard’s room.

The space between this block and the information center is open to the public, creating a sense of privacy for visitors, making the square a cozy and welcoming place. Thanks to the trees, the space will change with the seasons, offering a different experience each time it is visited.

The rows of neat graves with Cossack crosses clearly signify that these are the resting places of Ukrainian soldiers. The historical continuity of the nation’s traditions is reflected in this form. For fallen soldiers of other religious denominations, a different type of headstone is provided— a simple rectangular slab, which harmoniously blends with the overall composition of the complex. The graves seem to merge with the surroundings, with a minimal use of concrete. The graves are covered with perennial grasses, and the pathways between the rows are filled with compacted gravel. This design makes the complex more restrained and environmentally friendly, as well as easier to implement and maintain.

The columbarium wall and group burial area are located in a space that allows for flexibility in their capacity and configuration. The Sich crosses (in memory of those tortured in the prison on Zamarshtynivska Street) and the "birch" cross (in honor of the Sich Riflemen), which were present here before, now blend harmoniously with the new burials. A burial site for an unknown soldier is provided— a symbol for all those who gave their lives in the fight for freedom, but whose names have remained eternal.