Aviators’ Memorial at the Elementary School
Petrovice u Karviné, 2025
The architectural design of the public space surrounding the Aviators’ Memorial at the Elementary School in Závada, Petrovice u Karviné, is based on a deep respect for history and the need to sensitively integrate the memorial site into the everyday life of the village and the school grounds.
The aim of the design was to create a dignified, clear, and safe memorial space that naturally serves both as a place of remembrance and as an open area for pupils and visitors.
The memorial itself is an original element that has been preserved, cleaned, and carefully renovated as part of the design. The proposal therefore focuses primarily on the redesign and new composition of the surrounding public space, which presents the memorial in a dignified way while integrating it harmoniously into the context of the school grounds and the village.
The main architectural motif is the metal base – a symbolic delineation of the memorial space.
The base is integrated flush with the paving, ensuring barrier-free movement around the monument while defining its symbolic center.
Its 45-degree rotation responds to the orientation of the memorial itself, emphasizing its dynamism and sense of direction – a gesture reminiscent of movement and flight.
The material contrast between the base and the surrounding paving gives the site a formal character without disturbing its calm and contemplative atmosphere.
The surrounding linear paving enhances the verticality and texture of the monument, visually connecting the horizontal surface with the memorial’s upright form.
Diagonal metal lines with engraved inscriptions referencing the courage and sacrifice of the fallen aviators extend the orientation and rhythm of the monument. These metal inlays are complemented by recessed lighting, which softly illuminates the memorial space in the evening.
The overall composition is conceived as a place of reflection, quiet, and natural movement – for schoolchildren, residents, and visitors alike.
