The KO-KHATI team completed the construction of a building for 120 displaced persons in Ivano-Frankivsk

/ Architecture /

In December, the KO-KHATI project completed the adaptation of a building in Ivano-Frankivsk in order to create housing for internally displaced persons there. This is already the second building restored within the framework of the initiative.

120 residents have already settled there. These are people who had shelter in the schools of the city and lived in gymnasiums and classrooms since the spring. Now they are settling in their own rooms and preparing to celebrate the holidays in their new home.

"When, after the Russian attacks on the construction site, the lights began to be turned off and we often had to work in the dark, it was really difficult and we had no strength. But the team did not stop, did everything possible and impossible so that people moved to their homes before the holidays. Now it smells like food, children are playing and decorating Christmas trees, and there is a feeling of a real home," says Anna Pashinska, co-founder of the KO-KHATI project.

 

About the building restoration process

The building was provided by the Department of Education and Science of the Ivano-Frankivsk City Council. It was empty for several years, before that there was an office of the Department of Education, and even before that, a kindergarten.

In order to adapt the building to residential use, the KO-KHATA team carried out a redevelopment there: larger spaces, such as the library or the assembly hall, were divided into several rooms, the number of bathrooms was increased, and kitchens were added. This made it possible to form a block system and provide residents with more private space.

Also, the heating, water supply and sewage systems were completely replaced in the building, electricity was rewired, sanitary ware and tiles were installed in the bathrooms, all rooms were painted, and spaces were furnished with furniture and household appliances.

Most of the furniture was designed by the KO-HATI team, taking into account the requests of residents and the experience of compact living spaces. Sets of a bed, a shelf and a table were developed for the rooms. They were all made by a local manufacturer, which is a sustainable solution and helps support the local economy.

Collage: KO-HATS

Collage: KO-HATS

 

About funding and support

The budget for repairing and equipping the building is $250. The main part of the funds was provided by the project "Strengthening Public Trust" (UCBI III), financed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The Ukrainian representative office of the International Organization for Migration (IOM Ukraine) purchased materials for heating and power supply systems, doors, bathroom tiles, etc.

The equipment and other household items were provided by the "Rokada" charitable foundation (executive partner of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), the "Polish Aid" program and the international humanitarian organization "Man in Need". Also, part of the windows in the building were replaced thanks to the help of the "My Peace" charitable foundation. Students of the Ivano-Frankivsk Vocational Construction Lyceum joined the construction work.

In the process of working with the building, the KO-HATI team was assisted by local authorities, in particular the Department of Education and Science, the Department of Social Policy and the Department of Investment Policy, Projects, International Relations, Tourism and Promotions of Ivano-Frankivsk City Council.

Collage: KO-HATS

Collage: KO-HATS

 

About the KO-KHATI project

The KO-KHATI project aims to create comfortable housing for people who were forced to leave their homes due to the war. The idea was initiated by the METALAB urban planning laboratory from Ivano-Frankivsk and members of the independent agency Urban Curators relocated from Kyiv. Later, other resettled professionals joined the multidisciplinary team.

"We apply architectural and urban expertise, cooperate with local authorities and property owners, seek financing for renovations and improvements, and coordinate the construction process.

The pilot project was the restoration of part of a dormitory for 170 residents in Ivano-Frankivsk. The building was occupied in May. Currently, the restoration of two more buildings is underway - a former hotel in Ivano-Frankivsk (for 90 residents) and a dormitory near Kamianets-Podilskyi (for 250 residents). We also already have plans for the following facilities," say the organizers of KO-HATA.

 

 

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