House Of Remembrance Of The Augustow Roundup / Tremend Studio

Architects: Tremend Studio
Year: 2023
Photography: Bartosz Makowski
Client: The Pilecki Institute
Location: Augustow, Podlaskie Voivodeship
Country: Poland

House of Remembrance of the Augustow Roundup, a commemorative museum designed by Tremend Studio in Augustow, Poland, has redefined the historic Dom Turka townhouse into a site of public memory dedicated to victims of the 1945 Augustow Roundup. Completed in 2023, the project preserves the building’s original structure while integrating contemporary museum functions, including interactive exhibitions, accessibility features, and a symbolic memorial wall engraved with nearly 600 names. By referencing the forest edge as a conceptual framework, the design connects architecture and landscape to reflect themes of concealment, execution, and remembrance. The intervention emphasizes historical integrity, inclusive access, and spatial storytelling as tools for national reflection and cultural continuity.

House of remembrance of the augustow roundup / tremend studio

The Dom Turka building in Augustow, Poland, originally constructed in 1900, has been restored and adapted by Tremend Studio into the House of Remembrance of the Augustow Roundup, a museum commemorating one of the most tragic postwar events in Polish history. The project honors the memory of hundreds of anti-communist resistance members who were killed by Soviet forces during the 1945 Augustow Roundup, an operation considered the most severe crime against Polish citizens after World War II.

Throughout the postwar years, the building functioned as the local headquarters of the Soviet NKVD and, later, the Polish communist secret police. These roles established Dom Turka as a longstanding symbol of repression and loss in the region’s collective memory. The recent redevelopment transforms this charged historical context into a place of reflection and public engagement.

The architects noted that “the primary objective of the design was to create a space that honors the memory of the victims of the Augustow Roundup while fully respecting and preserving the historical value of the monument.” This intent guided a careful preservation of the building’s original features, including remnants of prison cells and other architectural elements that underwent thorough archaeological and conservation analysis.

The design concept draws from the forest edge, which served both as a place of execution and concealment during the Roundup. This dual symbolism informed the spatial narrative, which incorporates sculptural steel trees and greenery throughout the memorial grounds. These elements create a natural framework for contemplation and contextualize the Augustow Roundup Victims Memorial Wall, which bears the names of nearly 600 individuals killed in 1945. The wall is designed to accommodate personal acts of remembrance, such as placing flowers or ribbons beside individual names.

Interior spaces have been adapted to house modern exhibitions, balancing technical functionality with the building’s preserved character. The museum integrates interactive and multimedia elements to enhance the educational experience and deepen historical understanding for a wide audience.

Accessibility and inclusion played a central role in the project’s development. The design includes ramps, elevators, and clear wayfinding to facilitate access for people with physical disabilities. Exhibitions have been made compatible with assistive technologies for the visually impaired, and the museum provides tailored resources for visitors on the autism spectrum. Sign language support and sensory-sensitive materials further ensure that the space accommodates diverse needs.

The transformation of Dom Turka into the House of Remembrance of the Augustow Roundup is both a conservation effort and a civic act. It repositions the building from a symbol of state violence to a platform for education, reflection, and cultural resilience. Through architectural preservation and site-specific storytelling, the project contributes to national remembrance and reinforces the significance of public space in shaping collective historical awareness.