Highly commended: Small building of the year 2021. Swiss studio Manuel Herz Architects has built a Synagogue near Kyiv at the site of the Babyn Yar massacre.

The synagogue is a transformative building, made of wood, that stands on a platform, elevated above the ground.

The Babyn Yar Synagogue commemorates the 80th anniversary of the massacre that took place on the site, when Nazi troops killed approximately 35,000 Jews within two days. The congregation comes together to open the synagogue manually, unfolding the roof, the women's gallery and the praying platform.

The structure is inspired by wooden synagogues in Ukraine and pop-up books. Like a pop-up book, it opens a new world to the congregation, commemorating the past, while also celebrating the beauty of life.

Architect: Manuel Herz Architects
Project: Babyn Yar Synagogue
Read more: Manuel Herz Architects