"The main thing is not to lose the team." Dezeen on how Ukrainian archstudios survive during the war

/ Architecture /

A number of Ukrainian design and architecture studios temporarily stopped their activities on the territory of Ukraine and refused to cooperate with the aggressor country after the Russian large-scale invasion on February 24.

Now they are maintaining staff and trying to work despite the war, because the country's government has called for continued work to support the economy.

In order to keep the team, most bureaus need to work on projects abroad, write Dezeen.

 

Sivak+Partners

"Now more than ever, we need the support of international clients," says the co-owner of the design studio Oleksiy Gulesha.

"I'm trying to spread the message that we're open to any kind of international collaboration, because for us right now it's a matter of studio survival and keeping our great team together. We have a lot of experience in international work, so I hope it's only a matter of time before we get enough projects to survive."

The last completed project before the war. The Sivak+Partners team finished the project for the arrangement of the RUMA beauty studio. Photo: sivak-partners.com

Rina Lovko Design

"Our work has completely stopped, as the studio mainly worked on the Ukrainian market," says the founder of the architectural office, Rina Lovko.

"The whole team is not working now. However, we plan to start new projects from May. We need international orders in order to be able to earn, pay taxes, salaries and develop the studio."

The project of the Rina Lovko Design studio, which they implemented on the eve of the war. Photo: egnavrmnk

YOD Group

"Guess who wants to build a new restaurant in Ukraine if you can't be sure where a Russian missile or bomb will fall the next day?" asked Dmytro Bonesco, co-founder of YOD Group.

"Nobody, because it's too risky. Our projects in Ukraine are frozen. We need to continue to act during the war because we cannot predict when it will end.

We want to support our team and their families, support the Ukrainian economy and raise money for our volunteer projects."

The co-founder of YOD Group, Dmytro Bonesco, strives to cooperate with international partners in order to maintain his team. Photo: www.dezeen.com

Drozdov & Partners

Architect Oleg Drozdov believes that the negative impact on Ukrainian architecture and design due to the war may be long-lasting if studios cannot find international partners and staff will be forced to leave the country in search of work. 

"In the largest cities of Ukraine - Kharkiv, Kyiv, Dnipro, Odesa - there are no opportunities for investment, not to mention the occupied territories. Therefore, it is quite logical that almost all Ukrainian offices do not work.

The main goal of architectural bureaus now is to keep their teams and not lose talented architects due to a lack of projects.

I note that we faced a shortage of professionals even before the war, and we must understand that it will worsen due to the migration of Ukrainians around the world."

The project of arranging a shelter in one of the Lviv schools by Drozdov & Partners, Replus Bureau and Ponomarenko Bureau. Visualization: drozdov-partners.com

The project of arranging a shelter in one of the Lviv schools by Drozdov & Partners, Replus Bureau and Ponomarenko Bureau. Visualization: drozdov-partners.com

The project of arranging a shelter in one of the Lviv schools by Drozdov & Partners, Replus Bureau and Ponomarenko Bureau. Visualization: drozdov-partners.com

 

balbek bureau

"Most of our works were Ukrainian projects, so when they were suspended, it undoubtedly became an unprecedented challenge for the office's activity, which significantly hinders our development," said the studio's founder, Slava Balbek.

"Since most local commercial projects remain on hold due to Russian aggression, we rely heavily on foreign orders."

Despite the war, balbek bureau continues its work. The photo shows a transit housing project for those who lost their homes. Visualization: balbek bureau

ater.architects

Studio founders Alex Ivasiv and Yulia Tkachenko say that cooperation with international partners will help not only financially, but also morally.

"Our lives and careers have radically changed. We had to leave our home and all our projects were put on hold indefinitely. They remain in this state to this day.

In order not to completely lose faith in ourselves and in victory, to help our country, we, of course, want to work. We are creative people, this is our essence. Without creativity, we wither. Since it is now impossible to do this in one's own country, work abroad is becoming more relevant than ever."

 

Bogdanova Bureau

Olga Bogdanova, the founder of Bogdanova Bureau residential architecture and interiors studio, claims that, despite the war, Ukrainian architectural studios can be entrusted with the implementation of projects. 

"We worked on projects in Dubai and Milan, and also negotiated several other cooperations in Europe. We appreciate our customers who trust us during this difficult time. We will never let them down and work on their orders with all our passion.

We believe that we will be able to enrich the world of design more than ever before. It would be great to have a platform, opportunities and partners who would like to create projects together."

Bogdanova Bureau is confident that Ukrainian studios will be able to work despite the difficult situation in the country. Photo: dezeen.com

Yakusha Design

Victoria Yakusha, the founder of the multidisciplinary living design and architecture studio Yakusha Design and the furniture and decor brand FAINA, believes that Ukraine's general reaction to the war was reflected in the work of its architects and designers.

"Today, as a nation, we are united by a strong spirit. Many do not understand where it comes from. For us, the source is the connection with our land, with our ancestors, with our roots. This connection is also reflected in the language of our architecture and design."

One of the last Yakusha Design projects created before the full-scale invasion began. Photo: Yakusha Design

Makhno Studio

The representatives of the architectural bureau hold the same opinion Makhno Studio. Whoever chooses a design in modern Ukrainian style for his object, chooses at the same time a strong Ukrainian soul and an invaluable talent", says the general director of the studio Oleksandr Dymnich.

A project by Makhno Studio with a style intertwined with Ukrainian culture. Photo: Makhno Studio

Despite the fact that there are practically no commercial offers left in Ukraine, domestic architects have set up volunteer activities. 

In particular, balbek bureau created the concept of transit housing, in which those who have lost their homes due to war can live in comfort. The project offers additional areas for recreation, playgrounds, as well as full-fledged kitchens, baby care rooms and laundry rooms.

The loft buro team along with Module House as well created concept of temporary housing called CAMPUS. The architects announced the rapid production of energy-efficient houses with residential modules inside, convenient installation and mobility of the project.

CAMPUS temporary housing project by loft buro and Module House

CAMPUS temporary housing project by loft buro and Module House

CAMPUS temporary housing project by loft buro and Module House

Drozdov&Partners together with Replus Bureau and Ponomarenko Bureau made an effort, to turn locations in Lviv into temporary shelters for displaced people, which have more amenities than usual. 

 

 

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