Franc Obguia

advisor

Cebu Institute of Technology – University (CIT-U), College of Engineering and Architecture, Cebu City

Philippines

Architecture and Sustainability more

Your project presents a deeply moving and intellectually rich architectural response to one of history’s most painful yet profoundly human stories. Centering the design around the legacy of Oskar Schindler and the Jews he saved, your proposal goes beyond physical form to explore memory, symbolism, and reflection. The concept of the copper ring—inspired by the token of gratitude Schindler received—is a powerful metaphor. Its circular path unites the three most historically significant buildings on-site while simultaneously rupturing the factory’s structure, creating a literal and symbolic scar that evokes the lasting wound of the Holocaust. This is not only an architectural intervention—it’s a narrative act, reminding us that remembrance must be both visible and tangible.

Your use of material and form reinforces the emotional depth of the concept. The predominant use of copper throughout the intervention symbolizes endurance, transformation, and collective memory, while the bold inclusion of red adds a solemn tone, evoking the bloodshed and sacrifice tied to the site’s past. These choices are not ornamental but deeply rooted in meaning, strengthening the project’s intention to provoke reflection and reverence. The intervention’s ability to convey both violence and healing through one architectural gesture—the ring that cuts and connects—is particularly compelling and speaks to your maturity as a designer.

Another commendable strength of your proposal is the respectful integration of the existing historical buildings with a bold contemporary insertion. Your adaptive reuse strategy honors the original structures while giving them new purpose and presence. By preserving their historical character and allowing the new intervention to interact with them meaningfully, you create a dialogue across time—past and present existing side by side, neither overshadowed. This balance is difficult to achieve but critical in memorial architecture, and you’ve approached it with care and clarity.

Your design is a testament to the power of architecture as a vessel for memory and moral reflection. The presentation is strong, with concept, materiality, and narrative all working in harmony to deliver a compelling experience. To elevate the project even further, consider including visual storytelling tools—such as spatial sequences or visitor journey diagrams—to demonstrate how the symbolism is experienced spatially. Regardless, your proposal already speaks volumes. It’s thoughtful, haunting, and hopeful all at once—an architectural statement that honors history while inspiring future reflection.

Daniela Cajiga, thank you for joining this competition!