From anxiety and restlessness to quiet contemplation: the narrative arc of the Monument for All Victims takes the visitor on a path of spiritual purification. Designed as a floating solid volume at city-level, its two spaces represent two emotional extremes. The path leading into the memorial creates a particular spatial experience, as the extremely narrow (1.2 m) and tall (14 m) stairwell presses in on the visitor. The cathartic release felt once the oppressive closeness opens up into the central space creates room for reflection and contemplation.
The canopies of the trees contrast and soften the strict geometry of the monument, with trunks creating negative space underneath the branches. The concept includes three existing chestnut trees, the tree species that was originally planted in the neighbouring Zvezda park. In stark contrast between allusions to the “weight” of war, victimhood, loss and conflict, and the “space” in isolation to contemplate and remember, the monument encourages peace, freedom and acceptance.
