🔗 Share this article Protecting the Capital's Architectural Legacy: An Urban Center Rebuilding Its Foundations Amidst the Onslaught of War. Lesia Danylenko proudly presented her newly installed front door. Volunteers had playfully nicknamed its graceful transom window the “crescent roll”, a whimsical nod to its arched shape. “In my opinion it’s more of a peacock,” she stated, appreciating its tree limb-inspired details. The refurbishment initiative at one of Kyiv’s turn-of-the-century art nouveau houses was supported by residents, who marked the occasion with two neighbourhood pavement parties. It was also an act of resistance in the face of a foreign power, she explained: “Our aim is to live like normal people regardless of the war. It’s about shaping our life in the best possible way. We’re not afraid of living in our country. The possibility to emigrate existed, relocating to a foreign land. Conversely, I’m here. The new entrance symbolizes our commitment to our homeland.” “Our aim is to live like normal people despite the war. It’s about shaping our life in the optimal way.” Protecting Kyiv’s architectural heritage seems paradoxical at a period when aerial assaults regularly target the capital, bringing death and destruction. Since the start of the current year, bombing campaigns have been dramatically stepped up. After each attack, workers seal shattered windows with plywood and attempt, where possible, to salvage residential buildings. Amid the Explosions, a Battle for History Amid the bombs, a collective of activists has been working to save the city’s deteriorating mansions, built in a playful style known as Ukrainian modernism. Danylenko’s house is in the central Shevchenkivskyi district. It was constructed in 1906 and was first the home of a affluent fur dealer. Its exterior is decorated with horse chestnut leaves and fine camomile flowers. “They are symbols of Kyiv. These properties are uncommon nowadays,” Danylenko stated. The mansion was designed by an architect of Austrian-German origin. Several other buildings nearby showcase analogous art nouveau features, including an irregular shape – with a medieval spire on one side and a small tower on the other. One popular house in the area displays two forlorn white stucco cats, as well as owls, masks and a demonic figure. Dual Threats to Heritage But military aggression is only one threat. Preservation campaigners say they face unprincipled developers who knock down listed buildings, unethical officials and a administrative body apathetic or opposed to the city’s profound architectural history. The severe winter climate adds another difficulty. “Kyiv is a city where wealth dictates. We lack substantive political will to save our heritage,” said Dmytro Perov, an activist. He alleged the city’s mayor was allied with many of the developers who flatten important houses. Perov stated that the vision for the capital harks back to a different time. The mayor rejects these claims, stating they come from political rivals. Perov said many of the civically minded activists who once protected older properties were now serving in the military or had been killed. The ongoing conflict meant that the entire society was facing financial problems, he added, including judicial figures who mysteriously ruled in favour of suspect new-build schemes. “The longer this persists the more we see degradation of our society and public institutions,” he remarked. Loss and Disregard One glaring example of destruction is in the waterside Podil neighbourhood. The street was the site of classical 19th-century houses. A developer who obtained the plot had pledged to preserve its attractive brick facade. In the immediate aftermath of the 2022 invasion, heavy machinery razed it to the ground. Recently, a crane dug foundations for a new retail and office development, observed by a surly security guard. Anatolii Pohorily, a heritage supporter, said there was little optimism for the remaining blue-green houses on the site. Sometimes developers demolished old properties while asserting they were doing “archaeological research”, he said. A 20th-century empire also inflicted immense damage on the capital, reconstructing its primary street after the second world war so it could accommodate military vehicles. Upholding the Legacy One of Kyiv’s most notable defenders of historic buildings, a heritage expert, was fell in 2022 while engaged in a eastern city. His colleague Nelli Chudna said she and other volunteers were carrying on his vital preservation work. There were at one time 3,500 masonry mansions in Kyiv, many erected for the city’s successful business magnates. Only 80 of their period doors are still in existence, she said. “It wasn’t aerial bombardments that eliminated them. It was us,” she admitted sadly. “The war could go on for another 20 years. If we neglect architecture now little will be left,” she continued. Chudna recently helped to restore a unique creeper-covered house built in 1910, which serves as the headquarters of her cultural organization and operates as a film set and museum. The property has a new vermilion portal and period-correct railings; inside is a vintage sanitary facility and antique mirrors. “The war could continue for another 20 years. If we neglect architecture now little will be left.” The building’s occupant, artist Yurii Pikul, described his home as “incredibly atmospheric and a little bit cold”. Why do many citizens not appreciate the past? “Regrettably they do not have education and taste. It’s all about business. We are trying as a country to move towards the west. But we are still a way off from civilization,” he said. Soviet-era ways of thinking remained, with people reluctant to take personal responsibility for their urban environment, he added. Hope in Preservation Some buildings are crumbling because of official neglect. Chudna indicated a once-magical villa tucked away behind a modern hospital. Its roof had fallen; pigeons made their home among its broken windows; refuse lay under a fairytale tower. “Frequently we lose the battle,” she admitted. “This activity is therapy for us. We are striving to save all this heritage and beauty.” In the face of conflict and neglect, these volunteers continue their work, one door at a time, stating that to rebuild a city’s identity, you must first protect its stones.
Lesia Danylenko proudly presented her newly installed front door. Volunteers had playfully nicknamed its graceful transom window the “crescent roll”, a whimsical nod to its arched shape. “In my opinion it’s more of a peacock,” she stated, appreciating its tree limb-inspired details. The refurbishment initiative at one of Kyiv’s turn-of-the-century art nouveau houses was supported by residents, who marked the occasion with two neighbourhood pavement parties. It was also an act of resistance in the face of a foreign power, she explained: “Our aim is to live like normal people regardless of the war. It’s about shaping our life in the best possible way. We’re not afraid of living in our country. The possibility to emigrate existed, relocating to a foreign land. Conversely, I’m here. The new entrance symbolizes our commitment to our homeland.” “Our aim is to live like normal people despite the war. It’s about shaping our life in the optimal way.” Protecting Kyiv’s architectural heritage seems paradoxical at a period when aerial assaults regularly target the capital, bringing death and destruction. Since the start of the current year, bombing campaigns have been dramatically stepped up. After each attack, workers seal shattered windows with plywood and attempt, where possible, to salvage residential buildings. Amid the Explosions, a Battle for History Amid the bombs, a collective of activists has been working to save the city’s deteriorating mansions, built in a playful style known as Ukrainian modernism. Danylenko’s house is in the central Shevchenkivskyi district. It was constructed in 1906 and was first the home of a affluent fur dealer. Its exterior is decorated with horse chestnut leaves and fine camomile flowers. “They are symbols of Kyiv. These properties are uncommon nowadays,” Danylenko stated. The mansion was designed by an architect of Austrian-German origin. Several other buildings nearby showcase analogous art nouveau features, including an irregular shape – with a medieval spire on one side and a small tower on the other. One popular house in the area displays two forlorn white stucco cats, as well as owls, masks and a demonic figure. Dual Threats to Heritage But military aggression is only one threat. Preservation campaigners say they face unprincipled developers who knock down listed buildings, unethical officials and a administrative body apathetic or opposed to the city’s profound architectural history. The severe winter climate adds another difficulty. “Kyiv is a city where wealth dictates. We lack substantive political will to save our heritage,” said Dmytro Perov, an activist. He alleged the city’s mayor was allied with many of the developers who flatten important houses. Perov stated that the vision for the capital harks back to a different time. The mayor rejects these claims, stating they come from political rivals. Perov said many of the civically minded activists who once protected older properties were now serving in the military or had been killed. The ongoing conflict meant that the entire society was facing financial problems, he added, including judicial figures who mysteriously ruled in favour of suspect new-build schemes. “The longer this persists the more we see degradation of our society and public institutions,” he remarked. Loss and Disregard One glaring example of destruction is in the waterside Podil neighbourhood. The street was the site of classical 19th-century houses. A developer who obtained the plot had pledged to preserve its attractive brick facade. In the immediate aftermath of the 2022 invasion, heavy machinery razed it to the ground. Recently, a crane dug foundations for a new retail and office development, observed by a surly security guard. Anatolii Pohorily, a heritage supporter, said there was little optimism for the remaining blue-green houses on the site. Sometimes developers demolished old properties while asserting they were doing “archaeological research”, he said. A 20th-century empire also inflicted immense damage on the capital, reconstructing its primary street after the second world war so it could accommodate military vehicles. Upholding the Legacy One of Kyiv’s most notable defenders of historic buildings, a heritage expert, was fell in 2022 while engaged in a eastern city. His colleague Nelli Chudna said she and other volunteers were carrying on his vital preservation work. There were at one time 3,500 masonry mansions in Kyiv, many erected for the city’s successful business magnates. Only 80 of their period doors are still in existence, she said. “It wasn’t aerial bombardments that eliminated them. It was us,” she admitted sadly. “The war could go on for another 20 years. If we neglect architecture now little will be left,” she continued. Chudna recently helped to restore a unique creeper-covered house built in 1910, which serves as the headquarters of her cultural organization and operates as a film set and museum. The property has a new vermilion portal and period-correct railings; inside is a vintage sanitary facility and antique mirrors. “The war could continue for another 20 years. If we neglect architecture now little will be left.” The building’s occupant, artist Yurii Pikul, described his home as “incredibly atmospheric and a little bit cold”. Why do many citizens not appreciate the past? “Regrettably they do not have education and taste. It’s all about business. We are trying as a country to move towards the west. But we are still a way off from civilization,” he said. Soviet-era ways of thinking remained, with people reluctant to take personal responsibility for their urban environment, he added. Hope in Preservation Some buildings are crumbling because of official neglect. Chudna indicated a once-magical villa tucked away behind a modern hospital. Its roof had fallen; pigeons made their home among its broken windows; refuse lay under a fairytale tower. “Frequently we lose the battle,” she admitted. “This activity is therapy for us. We are striving to save all this heritage and beauty.” In the face of conflict and neglect, these volunteers continue their work, one door at a time, stating that to rebuild a city’s identity, you must first protect its stones.