This was a competition entry for a memorial to the Shoah, to be erected in Place Carnot, in central Lyon, France.

The memorial remembers an unimaginable time, barely comprehended let alone explained, when humanity extinguished light from the world, and diminished itself.

The site of the memorial, laid out perpendicular to the west side of Place Carnot, is well located to draw people into the park, and engage with the memorial. There are two elements to the planning of the memorial: an open but covered space on the eastern end of the site, within the park, and an open area to the west, to situate and view the memorial, as well as allowing for people to gather on special occasions. A long seat cantilevered from a low wall at the western end defines the boundary between the memorial and the Place Carnot. A low wall along the north side contains the inscription for the memorial, whilst at the same time defining the memorial’s northern boundary within the park.

The plan of the enclosed space is based on the Star of David, the emblem of Judaism, which is formed from two interlocking equilateral triangles. The Star of David was exploited by the Nazis as a stark totem of the diminished status of Jews under their regime. It was misappropriated in order to identify and to separate out Jews, to promulgate their isolation and subsequent attempted genocide. Here, the Star of David is reclaimed for the Shoah memorial, in a more abstract and fragmentary form, as a means of reasserting Jewish identity, whilst at the same time recalling its inhuman misuse.

The plan comprises three primary radial supports laid out on an equilateral triangle. These establish three entrances into and out of the memorial. Within each primary support are secondary canted lower walls. Together these primary and secondary elements form an enclosed space, with integral seating. The primary radial fins are 4m high and support the roof over. The secondary canted fins are 2.4m and are of sufficient height to create a sense of enclosure, whilst retaining a visual connection back to the park. The overall height of the memorial is 5.3m.

The three primary radial fins each contain half a Star of David, formed in metal painted yellow to recall the badges required to be worn by all Jews under the Nazis. The painted metal is inset with an open-weave decorative metal screen. Consequently, each entrance into the memorial is framed by a broken Star of David. A broken Star of David is thus seen in three dimensions from all parts of Place Carnot and the park, often backlit by the sun. The decorative mesh allows screened views of the park and the city beyond, a discreet glimpse of a world beyond the Shoah

The roof over is similarly derived from the Star of David, abstracted but left recognisable. It forms a canopy, hovering over and enclosing the space below. A central hexagonal oculus bathes the space below in light. The underside of the canopy is of highly polished stainless steel, reflecting the surroundings and the space below, and the people within the memorial. This reflected light creates a sense of the memorial canopy floating free of the Earth, a spiritual link to the people lost in the Shoah.