Let us remind you that on March 13th in the art space MLYN design hub An architectural MeetUp was held, dedicated to the issues of protecting modernist heritage.
An event called "Loving Modernism. Understanding and Protecting the Modernist Heritage in Today's Realities" became possible thanks to the cooperation of PRAGMATIKA.MEDIA and partners, specialists architectural industry - companies VEKA, BUDZIRKA, LOFU, design communities HIS and with the information support of the National Union of Architects of Ukraine.
We are grateful to the speakers, architects, designers, monument conservators, business representatives and all guests for their attention to the topic, which is often "cancelled" due to lack of expertise or due to cultural rejection. Because it is modernist architecture that currently bears the burden of the era in which it was created, often identified with Soviet practices and ideology. It also has a number of objective problem points regarding operation and restoration, and all this makes it as vulnerable as possible in the fabric of our cities.
The meetup program included panel discussions on energy efficiency of modernist objects and their renovation, as well as an exhibition of materials and objects from Ukrainian manufacturers. Photo: Yuriy Ferendovych
The event program included two panel discussions: on energy efficiency of modernist objects and on ways of renovation and finding new life scenarios for such architecture. You can read more about the discussions "Energy Efficiency of Modernist Heritage in the Modern Context" and "Renovation of Modernist Architecture: How to Unlock Win-Win Potential" and the expert speeches soon in our reviews.
During the meetup, the guests were also presented with an exhibition of Ukrainian manufacturers, in particular residents of BUM - the Library of Ukrainian Materials, founded in 2024. DVRZ Design Days and the company BUDZIRKA. Participants of the exhibition together with the exhibition curator, a design historian Larisa Tsybina introduced the audience to authentic Ukrainian technologies, products, and objects.
Larisa Tsybina: "Ukrainian design has great potential, and right now it is happening, being born, before our eyes"
The exhibition of manufacturers was attended by residents of BUM — Library of Ukrainian Materials, founded in 2024 by the Design Days Design Center and the BUDZIRKA company. Photo: Yuriy Ferendovych
We'll talk about what happened at the exhibition, and first about the location itself, because it's a new point of attraction for representatives of the creative community in the capital.
MLYN design hub is a new exhibition and educational space in Kyiv dedicated to modern Ukrainian design. The territory of the former KyivMlyn factory in Podil became its home. Wanting to reflect the continuity and evolution of domestic production, the creators of the space left in the interiors elements of equipment, some architectural forms from the former enterprise, which gives MLYN design hub interesting meanings and industrial aesthetics.
The goal of the founder, development partner of the PANOPTIKUM gallery and the KASSONE workshop, producer of art and design projects DVRZ Design Days and MLYN design hub Roman Mikhailov was to create a welcoming and professionally equipped place for events and presentations, where connoisseurs would get acquainted with designer items made in Ukraine.
According to the idea of the founder of MLYN design hub, Roman Mikhailov, the new space should become a convenient platform for exhibitions, meetings of the creative community, and networking. Photo: Maksym Drobinenko
The hub has an exhibition area, where samples of modern Ukrainian design are exhibited in formed interior exhibitions, and an event area for various events and activities: educational lectures, workshops, presentations, networking. For residents (domestic manufacturers, brands, industrial designers, artists) this is a high-quality platform where they will present their works and communicate with the audience. The exhibitions are updated every three months by professional curators.
For the first time, the MLYN space opened its doors specifically to guests of the Architectural MeetUp, so this exhibition was its premiere.
Opening the event, the exhibition curator, design historian Larisa Tsybina and MLYN design hub founder Roman Mykhaylov welcomed the audience and talked about how the idea for the space was born.
According to Mikhailov, the MLYN space became a logical continuation and rethinking of the DVRZ Design Days experience. In 2024, it was here, in the former factory premises, that the Days of Contemporary Ukrainian Design were held.
Roman Mikhailov, founder of MLYN design hub, and Larisa Tsybina, co-author of the idea of DVRZ Design Days, a design historian. Photo: Maksym Drobinenko
"The friendly atmosphere that prevailed at the previous Design Days DVZ inspired us to create a pleasant, convenient place filled with content, benefits and events, which would develop the design industry not only once a year by drawing visitors' attention to what Ukrainian design is capable of, but would also create these events. The idea of MLYN design hub arose as a continuation, development of last year's DVZ Design Days, so that Ukrainian modern design can continue to live within these walls every day. And we came up with a format that would allow us to do this in the best possible way.
"I am truly happy that today we opened this space for you for the first time. For six months, renovations were taking place, we implemented a project so that people would gather here to discuss important topics together. We understand that such facilities are few and far between, and we would like to see more of them," the founder of the space concluded.
Roman Mykhaylov: "The idea of MLYN design hub arose as a continuation, development of last year's DVRZ Design Days so that Ukrainian modern design would continue to live daily within these walls"
"It seems like just yesterday at this location we were talking about design within the framework of the DVRZ Design Days. Ukrainian design has great potential, and right now, before our eyes, modern Ukrainian design is being born.
"In the design history course, we study Italians, Scandinavians, and French, but we know for sure that we have our own path, and this is the path to individual development," noted Larisa Tsybina.
Oleg Klymenko, founder of the design community and marketplace HIS.ua, presented new furniture collections by Ukrainian designers Roman Prokopchuk and Rostyslav Sorokovy. Photo: Yuriy Ferendovych
Addressed the guests Oleg Klimenko, CEO HIS.ua — Ukrainian design community and sales platform that unites designers, architects, bloggers, and manufacturers:
"HIS.ua presents new collections of modern furniture from leading Ukrainian designers. This is a unique design community and store of modern furniture, lighting and decor, which has been popularizing Ukrainian object design for over ten years. We strive to make it an integral part of every Ukrainian home, uniting the best designers and manufacturers.
As part of the event, we are proud to present two new furniture collections from talented Ukrainian designers. The first collection is Lukas, created by designer Roman Prokopchuk. It embodies the concept of modern cozy object design, combining minimalism in details and an original approach. Each item in the collection is distinguished by its simplicity, which captivates, and at the same time, carefully thought-out forms, which give the products a special character.
Designer Roman Prokopchuk. The Lukas furniture collection embodies the concept of modern, cozy object design, combining minimalism in details and an original approach. Photos provided by HIS.ua
The second collection is BALOO, created Rostislav Sorokov. This is the first public demonstration of finished products after a long work on their improvement. The BALOO collection is office upholstered furniture that embodies conciseness and comfort. Rounded soft elements are harmoniously combined with a thin metal frame, creating a contrast and stylish look. The collection includes an upholstered chair, a sofa and an ottoman - ideal solutions for a modern office space. We invite all connoisseurs of quality design to familiarize themselves with the new collections and make sure that Ukrainian design is style, comfort and innovative solutions! " - concluded the presentation of the collections by Oleg Klymenko.
Designer Rostyslav Sorokovy. BALOO collection - office upholstered furniture that embodies conciseness and comfort. At the exhibition, finished BALOO products were publicly presented for the first time. Photos provided by HIS.ua
HIS.ua — a unique design community and marketplace for modern furniture, lighting and decor, which has been popularizing Ukrainian object design for over ten years
Larisa Tsybina told the audience about the great potential of collaborations between Ukrainian manufacturers and designers.
It is thanks to the combination of common ideas and efforts that in 2024 a new useful location appeared in the capital - the Library of Ukrainian Materials (BUM). The Library, located in the exhibition space of the BUDZIRKA company (Kyiv, Novozabarska Street, 2/6), presents a collection of the latest Ukrainian materials that can be used in construction and handicraft works, design, and craft. The volumes of the collection are arranged in seven categories: fibers, natural materials of land, plant, or animal origin, ceramics, composites, glass, metal, and polymers. When creating the collections, special attention was paid to the environmental friendliness and sustainability of the presented materials and technologies.
By visiting the space, architects, manufacturers, and artists can obtain information about the properties and applications of materials, study their compatibility, and plan joint projects.
A focus on independent and responsible production and local materials is a trend in modern Ukrainian design. Photo: Yuriy Ferendovych
“We understand that we need to look more at local, Ukrainian materials, develop independence and responsibility at the production level,” — Larysa Tsybina
"Today, the whole world is talking about the ocean, ecological projects, sustainable materials, because the planet is an exhaustible resource. We understand that we need to look more at local, Ukrainian materials, develop independence and responsibility at the production level. For a very long time, we did not pay attention to our own land, which gave us all life, feeds us and develops us.
"That's why we decided that through this small journey, this small adventure, we would talk about Ukrainian materials, about our own," says Larisa Tsybina about this joint project with the BUDZIRKA company.
The exhibition in the MLYN design hub space was the first field session for the Library of Ukrainian Materials. It was presented by BUM residents — Hemp Technologies LLC, Hempire TM, which produces building materials from industrial hemp, and a Ukrainian manufacturer, importer and official distributor of natural and artificial stone products, the company Alma Marble.
Serhiy Boyko, Director of Hempire Hemp Technologies LLC and the Ukrainian Hemp Construction Association. Photo: Maksym Drobinenko
Hempire was founded in 2015 and has implemented more than 150 hemp construction projects in Ukraine and abroad in the past ten years. In 2018, Hempire UA was awarded the Sustainability Company award at the International Cannabis Business Conference in Austria. According to experts from the World Energy Congress, in 2019 the Ukrainian company was included in the list of the top XNUMX startups in the energy sector.
The Hempire exhibition presented a proprietary product - Hempire Mix material based on hemp fire and lime binder "5 element", intended for the construction of frame house walls and building insulation. The authentic material has zero-carbon and energy-efficient characteristics.
Serhiy Boyko: "From technical hemp, you can make insulating, acoustic, decorative materials, and all of these are new productions. We created the Hemp Construction Association so that new startups are born."
Director of Hempire LLC "Hemp Technologies" and the Ukrainian Hemp Construction Association Serhii Boiko not only told the guests about the innovative, technological and safety qualities of building materials made from technical hemp, but also demonstrated them practically. Using a gas burner in the exhibition space, he conducted a real-time test of the fire resistance of hemp-lime material, which caused a vivid reaction from those present at the exhibition.
The presentation from Hempire turned into a real performance: the company's founder Serhiy Boyko demonstrates the qualities of building materials made from industrial hemp and lime binder. Photo: Yuriy Ferendovych
"From technical hemp, you can make insulating, acoustic, decorative materials, and all of these are new productions. We created the Ukrainian Association of Hemp Construction so that new startups are born. We must use Ukrainian, and we have something to offer the world," says the director of Hempire UA.
Answering questions from the audience, he noted that, according to market demand, it is possible to produce various binders and combine them with technical hemp in other areas of application - for surface decoration, the manufacture of frame decorative objects, noise insulation, etc.
Oleksandra Kapitsa, founder of Alma Mramor. Photo: Maksym Drobinenko
Introducing To Alexander Kapits, founder of Alma Mramor, Larisa Tsybina said: “The Alma Mramor company gives the stone a soul.” She told about an interesting fact: Ukrainian labradorite from Alma Mramor was used in a project for one of the Venice Biennales and was exhibited in the Ukrainian pavilion.
"It glowed even in the dark, these specks, dots, stripes, it's very interesting," recalls the design historian.
Alexander Kapitsa: «Ukrainian natural stone is truly unique"
Alma Mramor has been working in the industry for more than 20 years, its catalogs include granite, marble, quartz agglomerate, labradorite, onyx, travertine in dozens of shades from both Ukrainian and foreign manufacturers. The company's partners are leading European and Ukrainian developers, architectural and design studios.
Oleksandra Kapitsa, Larysa Tsybina and Anastasia Vesnyanka, marketing director of BUDZIRKA. Photo: Yuriy Ferendovych
Oleksandra Kapitsa says: Ukrainian stone is truly unique. Responding to Larisa Tsybina's remark about domestic labradorite, she notes that it has mica-type inclusions with a pronounced shine of different shades. Alma Mramor offers four variants of Ukrainian labradorite, which can be used in construction for interior or exterior decoration, and for making products.
The founder of Alma Mramor told the audience about the differences in the use of granite, limestone, and other types of stone in architectural projects, interiors, and landscape design, due to the characteristics of the materials.
Anastasia Vesnyanka, Marketing Director of BUDZIRKA and organizer of the BUM field session
The closing remarks to the guests and participants of the exhibition were made by the marketing director of BUDZIRKA and the organizer of the BUM field session. Anastasia VesnyankaShe thanked those present for their attention and invited them to continue researching Ukrainian materials and samples of authentic products at future creative meetings.
