Shoah Memorial

At Studio Charvet, we believe architecture is a powerful medium for remembrance. Our contribution to the Shoah Memorial in Lyon is designed to integrate history into the city’s urban landscape with both meaning and impact. This project was our response to the Shoah Memorial Project competition in Lyon.

Railway Tracks as Tribute

The first concept is to construct a permanent metal structure using railway tracks as a tribute to the victims of the Shoah. Between these structures, black-and-white photographs of the victims, printed in A1 format on silkscreened glass, will be displayed. This installation aims to create a lasting and poignant memorial.

Following our intervention at Place Carnot, where a similar tribute now stands, we propose extending this concept to the façades of Lyon’s train stations. These new structures, made from repurposed railway tracks, serve as a stark reminder of the deportations that took place during World War II. Their presence echoes the historical role of these stations in the tragic transport of victims, ensuring that memory remains deeply embedded in the city’s architecture.

Memory Across the City

Additionally, we propose placing images of victims throughout the city at key historical sites from World War II. These images will be displayed on double-skin glazed facades, ensuring their integration into the urban environment. On more contemporary buildings, we can even imagine ephemeral projections or installations that bring history to life in a dynamic way.

This project transforms public spaces into silent witnesses of history, encouraging reflection among commuters and visitors alike. More than an architectural statement, it is a lasting tribute to those who suffered—a call to remember, to reflect, and to never forget.

Subtle yet Powerful Interventions

Our design approach is rooted in subtle yet powerful interventions. The steel elements, aged and weathered, retain the raw physicality of their past function, creating an immediate and visceral connection to history. The interplay of shadow and light on these structures throughout the day serves as a metaphor for the persistence of memory—never static, always present.

Additionally, we propose integrating digital and physical storytelling elements. QR codes subtly embedded in the structures will provide access to archival testimonies, survivor stories, and historical documentation, allowing passersby to engage with the past on a deeper level. Informational plaques, designed with minimal intervention, will guide visitors without disrupting the urban flow.

By embedding these elements into Lyon’s everyday life, we ensure that remembrance is not confined to a single location but woven into the city’s fabric. The Shoah Memorial Project is not only a commemoration but also an act of responsibility—a way to ensure that history is acknowledged and carried forward by future generations.