The building has seven floors, however, because several floors are visually united by windows, Heritage looks like a four-story building.
Photo: Serhiy Savchenko
One of the most important tasks was to qualitatively integrate the new building into the historical area of the city. The Franz Holombek estate of 1913-14, a candidate for the status of a historical monument, is adjacent to a glass toothed membrane, which the project team calls a "saw". It is slightly sunken deep and lower than the main part of the building. Thus, the composition of houses of different eras looks more harmonious.
Photo: Serhiy Savchenko
On the other side of the business center, the surrounding area was improved. The idea was to create convenient pedestrian transit and a human-centered quality urban environment. Heritage also meets international accessibility standards for groups with reduced mobility.
"We sought to create a minimalist and restrained architecture, but not devoid of details, European, but such that it would fit perfectly into the central historical part of Kyiv. And, most importantly, with a priority for the citizens," says chief architect and founder of AIIX studio Oleksandr Bosenko.
Photo: Serhiy Savchenko
The facade is decorated with a natural stone of the Jurassic period - Jura Limestone, from the famous Bavarian limestone quarries of Solnhofen, where the remains of the largest pterodactyl in the world were recently found. This stone was formed by sediments in the tropical lagoons of the Jurassic Sea millions of years ago. Many fossilized creatures have been preserved in its structure. Ammonites and belemnites make each stone layer unique. They also document the oldest known birds in the fossil record. Kyivites will be able to admire the pattern of a 30-centimeter fossilized shell of the Jurassic period on the facade of Heritage. The weight of the facade reaches almost 500 tons.
The building has an area of 17 m², open layouts and the possibility of accommodating any business: from offices to event spaces. Three sides of the building are oriented towards the sun, which inspired the architects to create deep slopes (000 cm each) on the windows, which partially reduces the load on the ventilation system and improves energy efficiency. As a bonus, you get a fantastic play of light inside the building.
The lobby is minimalistic and noble, also decorated with natural stone. It has two centers of gravity - a monumental 7,5-meter stele and a spiral staircase that connects the main hall with the gallery on the second floor.
The project has already received three awards at the prestigious international Architecture Masterprize competition: "Winner” in the category “Architectural Design / Mixed Use Architecture category”, “Honorable Mention” in the categories “Interior Design / Commercial Interior category” and “Interior Architecture Photography / Commercial Interior category” for the photo of Serhiy Savchenko.
AIIX studio — Ukrainian architectural the Bureau, founded in 2016 by architect Oleksandr Bosenko. The studio has a distinct architectural and metaphorical signature. Works with respect for heritage and the environment, international standards and specializes in complex natural stone solutions. Has in the portfolio both residential and commercial projects in Ukraine and abroad.
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