🔗 Share this article Preserving the Capital's Architectural Legacy: A City Rebuilding Itself in the Shadow of Conflict. Lesia Danylenko proudly presented her recently completed front door. Local helpers had affectionately dubbed its ornate transom window the “pastry”, a whimsical nod to its curved shape. “I think it’s more of a peacock,” she stated, gazing at its twig-detailed features. The renovation effort at one of Kyiv’s early 20th-century art nouveau houses was supported by residents, who celebrated with two lively pavement parties. It was also an demonstration of opposition towards an invading force, she explained: “We strive to live like normal people regardless of the war. It’s about shaping our life in the most positive way. We have no fear of living in our homeland. The possibility to emigrate existed, starting anew to another European nation. Conversely, I’m here. The new entrance represents our commitment to our homeland.” “Our aim is to live like ordinary people regardless of the war. It’s about shaping our life in the best possible way.” Safeguarding Kyiv’s built legacy could be considered unusual at a time when drone attacks routinely fall the capital, bringing death and destruction. Since the start of the current year, aerial raids have been significantly intensified. After each assault, workers cover blown-out windows with plywood and try, where possible, to save residential buildings. Amid the Explosions, a Fight for Beauty In the midst of war, a group of activists has been attempting to preserve the city’s crumbling mansions, built in a distinctive style known as Ukrainian modernism. Danylenko’s house is in the historic Shevchenkivskyi district. It was built in 1906 and was originally the home of a affluent fur dealer. Its facade is embellished with horse chestnut leaves and intricate camomile flowers. “They are symbols of Kyiv. These properties are uncommon nowadays,” Danylenko said. The residence was designed by an architect of Central European origin. Several other buildings in the vicinity exhibit analogous art nouveau features, including asymmetry – with a gothic tower on one side and a small tower on the other. One much-loved house in the area displays two sullen white stucco cats, as well as owls, masks and a demonic figure. Several Threats to Legacy But external attacks is only one threat. Preservation campaigners say they face profit-driven developers who demolish listed buildings, unethical officials and a governing class unconcerned or hostile to the city’s vast architectural history. The bitter winter climate presents another burden. “Kyiv is a city where money wins. We don’t have substantive political will to save our heritage,” said Dmytro Perov, an activist. He asserted the city’s mayor was closely associated with many of the developers who destroy important houses. Perov added that the concept for the capital is reminiscent of a previous decade. The mayor has refuted these claims, stating they come from political rivals. Perov said many of the civically minded activists who once protected older properties were now fighting on the frontline or had been killed. The lengthy conflict meant that the entire society was facing economic hardship, he added, including judicial figures who inexplicably ruled in favour of suspect new-build schemes. “The longer this persists the more we see decline of our society and public institutions,” he argued. Demolition and Neglect One notorious example of destruction is in the riverside Podil neighbourhood. The street was home to classical 19th-century houses. A developer who acquired the plot had committed to preserve its attractive brick facade. A day after the full-scale invasion, diggers razed it to the ground. Recently, a crane excavated foundations for a new shopping and business centre, observed by a stern security guard. Anatolii Pohorily, a heritage supporter, said there was not much hope for the remaining coloured houses on the site. Sometimes developers destroyed old properties while stating they were doing “scientific study”, he said. A 20th-century empire also inflicted immense damage on the capital, rebuilding its primary street after the second world war so it could allow for large-scale parades. Continuing the Work One of Kyiv’s most renowned champions of historic buildings, a heritage expert, was lost his life in 2022 while serving in the frontline. His colleague Nelli Chudna said she and other volunteers were carrying on his crucial preservation work. There were initially 3,500 stone mansions in Kyiv, many built for the city’s prosperous industrialists. Only 80 of their period doors remain, she said. “It was not foreign rockets that destroyed them. It was us,” she admitted sadly. “The war could go on for another 20 years. If we don’t defend architecture now little will be left,” she added. Chudna recently helped to restore a unique vine-clad house built in 1910, which acts as the headquarters of her cultural organization and operates as a film set and museum. The property has a new red door and authentic railings; inside is a historic washroom and antique mirrors. “The war could last another 20 years. If we fail to protect architecture now nothing will be left.” The building’s tenant, artist Yurii Pikul, described his home as “incredibly atmospheric and a little bit cold”. Why do many residents not value the past? “Sadly they lack education and taste. It’s all about business. We are attempting as a country to move towards the west. But we are still a way off from that standard,” he said. Outdated ways of thinking lingered, with people reluctant to take personal responsibility for their architectural setting, he added. Therapy in Action Some buildings are crumbling because of institutional abandonment. Chudna pointed to a once-magical villa hidden behind a modern hospital. Its roof had fallen; pigeons nested among its shattered windows; debris lay under a storybook tower. “Many times we lose the battle,” she acknowledged. “This activity is a coping mechanism for us. We are attempting to save all this history and aesthetic value.” In the face of war and development pressures, these citizens continue their work, one door at a time, stating that to preserve a city’s heart, you must first cherish its walls.
Lesia Danylenko proudly presented her recently completed front door. Local helpers had affectionately dubbed its ornate transom window the “pastry”, a whimsical nod to its curved shape. “I think it’s more of a peacock,” she stated, gazing at its twig-detailed features. The renovation effort at one of Kyiv’s early 20th-century art nouveau houses was supported by residents, who celebrated with two lively pavement parties. It was also an demonstration of opposition towards an invading force, she explained: “We strive to live like normal people regardless of the war. It’s about shaping our life in the most positive way. We have no fear of living in our homeland. The possibility to emigrate existed, starting anew to another European nation. Conversely, I’m here. The new entrance represents our commitment to our homeland.” “Our aim is to live like ordinary people regardless of the war. It’s about shaping our life in the best possible way.” Safeguarding Kyiv’s built legacy could be considered unusual at a time when drone attacks routinely fall the capital, bringing death and destruction. Since the start of the current year, aerial raids have been significantly intensified. After each assault, workers cover blown-out windows with plywood and try, where possible, to save residential buildings. Amid the Explosions, a Fight for Beauty In the midst of war, a group of activists has been attempting to preserve the city’s crumbling mansions, built in a distinctive style known as Ukrainian modernism. Danylenko’s house is in the historic Shevchenkivskyi district. It was built in 1906 and was originally the home of a affluent fur dealer. Its facade is embellished with horse chestnut leaves and intricate camomile flowers. “They are symbols of Kyiv. These properties are uncommon nowadays,” Danylenko said. The residence was designed by an architect of Central European origin. Several other buildings in the vicinity exhibit analogous art nouveau features, including asymmetry – with a gothic tower on one side and a small tower on the other. One much-loved house in the area displays two sullen white stucco cats, as well as owls, masks and a demonic figure. Several Threats to Legacy But external attacks is only one threat. Preservation campaigners say they face profit-driven developers who demolish listed buildings, unethical officials and a governing class unconcerned or hostile to the city’s vast architectural history. The bitter winter climate presents another burden. “Kyiv is a city where money wins. We don’t have substantive political will to save our heritage,” said Dmytro Perov, an activist. He asserted the city’s mayor was closely associated with many of the developers who destroy important houses. Perov added that the concept for the capital is reminiscent of a previous decade. The mayor has refuted these claims, stating they come from political rivals. Perov said many of the civically minded activists who once protected older properties were now fighting on the frontline or had been killed. The lengthy conflict meant that the entire society was facing economic hardship, he added, including judicial figures who inexplicably ruled in favour of suspect new-build schemes. “The longer this persists the more we see decline of our society and public institutions,” he argued. Demolition and Neglect One notorious example of destruction is in the riverside Podil neighbourhood. The street was home to classical 19th-century houses. A developer who acquired the plot had committed to preserve its attractive brick facade. A day after the full-scale invasion, diggers razed it to the ground. Recently, a crane excavated foundations for a new shopping and business centre, observed by a stern security guard. Anatolii Pohorily, a heritage supporter, said there was not much hope for the remaining coloured houses on the site. Sometimes developers destroyed old properties while stating they were doing “scientific study”, he said. A 20th-century empire also inflicted immense damage on the capital, rebuilding its primary street after the second world war so it could allow for large-scale parades. Continuing the Work One of Kyiv’s most renowned champions of historic buildings, a heritage expert, was lost his life in 2022 while serving in the frontline. His colleague Nelli Chudna said she and other volunteers were carrying on his crucial preservation work. There were initially 3,500 stone mansions in Kyiv, many built for the city’s prosperous industrialists. Only 80 of their period doors remain, she said. “It was not foreign rockets that destroyed them. It was us,” she admitted sadly. “The war could go on for another 20 years. If we don’t defend architecture now little will be left,” she added. Chudna recently helped to restore a unique vine-clad house built in 1910, which acts as the headquarters of her cultural organization and operates as a film set and museum. The property has a new red door and authentic railings; inside is a historic washroom and antique mirrors. “The war could last another 20 years. If we fail to protect architecture now nothing will be left.” The building’s tenant, artist Yurii Pikul, described his home as “incredibly atmospheric and a little bit cold”. Why do many residents not value the past? “Sadly they lack education and taste. It’s all about business. We are attempting as a country to move towards the west. But we are still a way off from that standard,” he said. Outdated ways of thinking lingered, with people reluctant to take personal responsibility for their architectural setting, he added. Therapy in Action Some buildings are crumbling because of institutional abandonment. Chudna pointed to a once-magical villa hidden behind a modern hospital. Its roof had fallen; pigeons nested among its shattered windows; debris lay under a storybook tower. “Many times we lose the battle,” she acknowledged. “This activity is a coping mechanism for us. We are attempting to save all this history and aesthetic value.” In the face of war and development pressures, these citizens continue their work, one door at a time, stating that to preserve a city’s heart, you must first cherish its walls.