Sybir memorial museum in Bialystok

The museum was created to honor the memory of exiled Poles and to bring the history of forced deportations to Siberia closer to the public. For the Russians, such exiles were a way to eliminate those who resisted the occupation. How to tell the story of families who were deported deep into the cold Siberia? How to portray the inhumane journey and the conditions of hard labor? How to honor the memory of those who passed away from hunger, exhaustion and disease or by the hand of the oppressors? Architect Jan Kabac decided to paint emotions through light.

"When you are designing a museum, a question arises: should the architecture be a background for what is presented in the exhibitions, or should it create emotions on its own? I concluded that in this case the architecture should speak the language of symbols", says architect Jan Kabac of design office ARKON, who was responsible for the overall architectural project. The concept becomes clear as soon as you approach the museum building, especially after dusk. The path leading to the museum is outlined by TRILUX Pareda Slim luminaires, which are installed low to the ground. They only illuminate the underlying pavement, which becomes a symbol of a different path - the one that the prisoners, which were sent to Siberia had to take. "Those walking along the way gain the space to reflect on the fate of those who took the road only one way", the architect explains.