The Road of Life Memorial Complex is a new approach to memorial architecture, a form of dialogue between Ukraine and the world, between the past and the future. It is the type of project that shapes a culture of renewal — meaningful, open, and sustainable.

Our team, IRS – Innovations and Designs for Society, has been working on the project concept since 2022: conducting public hearings and inviting proposals from architects.

This year, the global American company Gensler (which has been assisting Irpin with its recovery concept since 2022) became the architectural partner of the Irpin City Council project. Gensler is a global leader with over 50 offices worldwide, working on projects for Google, Microsoft, Meta, NASA, major airports, and public spaces.

For Gensler, this project is not about form, but about values. They have created an architectural language that speaks to the world about the power of humanity, memory, and courage. And they did so with deep respect for the Ukrainian context. Led by the company’s senior strategist, Nadia Volchanski.

Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 is an international event dedicated to Ukraine’s recovery. It brings together governments, businesses, international organizations, regions, financial institutions, communities, and civil society. This year’s focus is on sustainability, reforms, and an “all-state, all-society” approach.

Zoryana Tykhonchuk (Khomyn) is our local (Ukrainian) project architect. Zoryana visited Gensler’s headquarters in Washington in June and was able to convey the public’s vision for this project. This project is dedicated to the evacuation of civilians across the destroyed bridge in Irpin in March 2022. But it is not just about memory. It is about dignity, solidarity, and the power of civil society. And about how tragedy can become a source of strength.

“Together with an international company, we want to create solutions at the intersection of architecture, engineering, memory, and meaning. Our approach is about content, working with communities, and systemic transformations in cities and regions. The project is published on the DREAM platform,” says IRS CEO Iryna Yarmolenko.

If you need unique architectural concepts, please contact IRS.