“Our life is but a short journey in pursuit of a great idea.”

A project that goes far beyond architecture or urban landscaping. It is about memory, respect, and responsibility to society.

For the FIX Union team, contributing to this memorial space was a profound responsibility and an honour.

To mark the second anniversary of the murder of linguist, public figure, and professor Iryna Farion, a memorial space was unveiled on Tomáš Masaryk Street in Lviv—the very place where she was fatally wounded on 19 July 2024.

A space that speaks to people

The memorial consists of a landscaped public square and a central stele that serves as the focal point of the space.

The stele is made of copper—a living material that naturally changes over time. Slightly taller than a person, it features four sides cut with the words "Language," "Freedom," "Nation," and "Strength"—the values most closely associated with Iryna Farion's life and legacy.

Through these cut-out words, visitors can see a limestone monolith engraved with twenty of Farion's quotations, carefully selected by the project's authors from Guess Line Architects together with her family and former students.

The architectural concept creates a dialogue between material, space, and the visitor. Rather than serving solely as a memorial, it invites reflection, interaction, and engagement with the ideas Iryna Farion left behind.

The responsibility of creating places of remembrance

For FIX Union, participating in this project meant far more than adding another completed project to its portfolio.

We create public spaces designed to serve communities for decades. Yet some projects are defined not by their materials or construction, but by the memories they preserve.

"For us, this is much more than another completed project. It is an opportunity to help create a place that will preserve memory and encourage future generations to reflect on history. Corporate social responsibility is not only about manufacturing high-quality products—it is also about contributing to projects that carry lasting social significance. We are grateful for the trust placed in us to be part of this meaningful work," says Pavlo Straz, Director of FIX Union.

Projects like this remind us that urban design is not only about improving cities—it is also about creating places that help society remember.

Architecture shaped by meaning

According to Andrii Lesiuk, architect and co-founder of Guess Line Architects, one of the greatest challenges was integrating a memorial into a residential neighbourhood.

"Combining a memorial function with a residential environment is one of the most challenging tasks. The key is to avoid visual overload or a sense of oppression while maintaining a human-centred scale and allowing people to interact naturally with both the space and its memory."

The project is built around precisely this idea—to create an open public space that becomes a natural part of its surroundings rather than dominating them.

As Andrii Lesiuk described the concept:

"Creating memorial spaces today is a tremendous responsibility—a responsibility toward our future. The Iryna Farion Memorial Space is not merely about architecture or urban landscaping; it is about meaning and interaction. The memorial is ready to welcome the people of Lviv and visitors alike. Let us remember and honour."

A space that has already sparked public dialogue

The opening of the memorial generated extensive discussion among architects, urban designers, and the wider public. This is hardly surprising, as memorial architecture has always inspired debate.

Different perspectives on its artistic expression are a natural part of public discourse. What matters most, however, is that the space encourages people to engage in conversation, reflect, and revisit Iryna Farion's legacy. Memorials are not created simply to be observed—they are designed to provoke thought, ask questions, and preserve memory.

As Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi noted:

"This is not a monument where people leave flowers once a year. It is something to be read, explored, and rediscovered again and again. The copper and the stone will change with time and light. The words will remain."

Social responsibility as part of FIX Union's mission

At FIX Union, we believe that companies shaping public spaces carry responsibility not only for the quality of their products but also for the environments in which people live.

That is why we consider it important to contribute to projects that serve society, preserve collective memory, and strengthen a culture of respect for history.

Participating in the creation of the Iryna Farion Memorial Space was both an honour and an opportunity for the FIX Union team to contribute to a place that will remain a space for remembrance, reflection, and dialogue for the people of Lviv and its visitors for many years to come.