Martina Bežová
student
Faculty of Architecture and Design STU in Bratislava
Slovakia
Architecture
The aim of the projects was to propose the conversion of the northern part of the defunct premises of the former textile factory in Brněnec in the Czech… more
Franc Obguia
advisor
Cebu Institute of Technology – University (CIT-U), College of Engineering and Architecture, Cebu City
Philippines
Architecture and Sustainability more
Martina Bežová, your project presents a profoundly meaningful and architecturally sensitive approach to one of the most historically significant sites in Brněnec. From the very beginning of the presentation, it’s evident how thoughtfully you navigated the layers of memory, loss, survival, and hope that the site embodies. The structure of your boards and narrative is well-organized, allowing the viewer to move through the historical context, architectural interventions, and emotional intent with clarity and respect.
The renderings and visualizations reflect a strong understanding of atmosphere. They succeed not just in showing form and material, but in evoking feeling—particularly with the contrast between the darkened spaces of suffering and the luminous "atriums of hope." This architectural metaphor is both poetic and grounded, offering a compelling spatial translation of the human experience you wish to honor. We suggest adding more human figures to your scenes to further emphasize the emotional impact of the space and bring a deeper sense of life and presence to the powerful storytelling you’ve already achieved.
Your plans are well-resolved and demonstrate a balance between careful preservation and thoughtful intervention. The decision to expose the original burnt brick while inserting clean, contemporary elements in steel and glass is executed with restraint and purpose. The new façade’s use of aluminum slats as a symbolic gesture toward imprisonment is both subtle and powerful, and it visually communicates the story without relying on text alone—a strength in architectural communication.
The concept of creating a museum that focuses not solely on tragedy but on resilience and survival is a refreshing and necessary contribution to Holocaust remembrance. Your educational center, integrated within the site, has the potential to become a space of learning, reflection, and future action—particularly in combating anti-Semitism and hate today. The spatial sequencing from “suffering” to “hope” is architecturally articulate, and your respect for both the historical fabric and emotional narrative is commendable.
Thank you, and congratulations for participating in the Inspireli Competition. Your Schindler’s Ark Museum and Educational Center is more than a project—it’s a reminder of what architecture can do when it listens to history, speaks with humility, and designs with empathy.
You have created a space that not only remembers the past but also inspires a more human future. We hope you continue to explore architecture with this same clarity of purpose and sensitivity.