🔗 Share this article Protecting the Capital's Architectural Legacy: A City Reconstructing Itself in the Shadow of War. Lesia Danylenko proudly presented her newly installed front door. Local helpers had given the moniker its graceful transom window the “pastry”, a lighthearted tribute to its curved shape. “In my opinion it’s more of a showy bird,” she remarked, admiring its branch-like features. The renovation effort at one of Kyiv’s early 20th-century art nouveau houses was made possible by residents, who celebrated with several impromptu pavement parties. It was also an act of resistance in the face of a foreign power, she explained: “We are trying to live like everyday people despite the war. It’s about organizing our life in the optimal way. We’re not afraid of living in our country. I could have left, relocating to Italy. On the contrary, I’m here. The new entrance shows our allegiance to our homeland.” “We are trying to live like normal people regardless of the war. It’s about organizing our life in the most positive way.” Preserving Kyiv’s architectural heritage could be considered paradoxical at a moment when aerial assaults regularly target the capital, causing death and destruction. Since the start of the current year, bombing campaigns have been notably increased. After each strike, workers cover blown-out windows with plywood and attempt, where possible, to save residential buildings. Within the Conflict, a Battle for Identity Amid the bombs, a collective of activists has been working to save the city’s decaying mansions, built in a distinctive style known as Ukrainian modernism. Danylenko’s house is in the central Shevchenkivskyi district. It was erected in 1906 and was first the home of a affluent fur dealer. Its exterior is adorned with horse chestnut leaves and delicate camomile flowers. “They are symbols of Kyiv. These properties are increasingly scarce today,” Danylenko stated. The residence was designed by an architect of Austrian-German origin. Several other buildings nearby showcase analogous art nouveau features, including an irregular shape – with a gothic tower on one side and a turret on the other. One much-loved house in the area boasts two sullen white stucco cats, as well as owls, masks and a imp. Multiple Threats to Heritage But military aggression is only one threat. Preservation campaigners say they face profit-driven developers who demolish historically significant buildings, dishonest officials and a political leadership unconcerned or resistant to the city’s profound architectural history. The bitter winter climate presents another challenge. “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 closely associated with many of the developers who bulldoze important houses. Perov further alleged that the plan for the capital comes straight out of a different time. The mayor rejects these claims, attributing them from political rivals. Perov said many of the civically minded activists who once defended older properties were now engaged in combat or had been fallen. The ongoing conflict meant that all citizens was facing economic hardship, he added, including judicial figures who mysteriously ruled in favour of questionable new-build schemes. “The longer this goes on the more we see degradation of our society and public institutions,” he remarked. Loss and Disregard One egregious example of destruction is in the historic Podil neighbourhood. The street was the site of classical 19th-century houses. A developer who obtained the plot had agreed to preserve its charming brick facade. In the immediate aftermath of the onset of major hostilities, heavy machinery tore it down. Recently, a crane excavated foundations for a new commercial complex, monitored by a stern security guard. Anatolii Pohorily, a heritage supporter, said there was not much hope for the remaining turquoise-painted houses on the site. Sometimes developers destroyed old properties while claiming they were doing “scientific study”, he said. A 20th-century empire also caused immense damage on the capital, rebuilding its primary street after the second world war so it could facilitate military vehicles. Continuing the Work One of Kyiv’s most prominent defenders of historic buildings, a heritage expert, was fell in 2022 while serving in a eastern city. His colleague Nelli Chudna said she and other volunteers were persevering in his crucial preservation work. There were initially 3,500 stone mansions in Kyiv, many erected for the city’s successful industrialists. Only 80 of their period doors are still in existence, she said. “It wasn’t foreign rockets that destroyed them. It was us,” she lamented. “The war could continue for another 20 years. If we don’t defend architecture now not a thing will be left,” she emphasized. Chudna recently helped to restore a characterful creeper-covered house built in 1910, which serves as the headquarters of her cultural organization and doubles as a film set and museum. The property has a new crimson entrance and authentic railings; inside is a historic washroom and antique mirrors. “The war could last another 20 years. If we neglect architecture now little will be left.” The building’s resident, artist Yurii Pikul, described his home as “incredibly atmospheric and a little bit cold”. Why do many citizens not value the past? “Unfortunately they are without education and taste. It’s all about business. We are attempting as a country to move towards the west. But we are still not yet close from civilization,” he said. Previous ways of thinking lingered, with people unwilling to take personal responsibility for their urban environment, he added. Therapy in Action Some buildings are crumbling because of bureaucratic indifference. Chudna pointed to a once-magical villa hidden behind a modern hospital. Its roof had collapsed; pigeons made their home among its broken windows; rubbish lay under a whimsical tower. “Frequently we are unsuccessful,” she admitted. “Restoration is a coping mechanism for us. We are attempting to save all this heritage and aesthetic value.” In the face of destruction and neglect, these citizens continue their work, one door at a time, believing that to save a city’s identity, you must first save its stones.
Lesia Danylenko proudly presented her newly installed front door. Local helpers had given the moniker its graceful transom window the “pastry”, a lighthearted tribute to its curved shape. “In my opinion it’s more of a showy bird,” she remarked, admiring its branch-like features. The renovation effort at one of Kyiv’s early 20th-century art nouveau houses was made possible by residents, who celebrated with several impromptu pavement parties. It was also an act of resistance in the face of a foreign power, she explained: “We are trying to live like everyday people despite the war. It’s about organizing our life in the optimal way. We’re not afraid of living in our country. I could have left, relocating to Italy. On the contrary, I’m here. The new entrance shows our allegiance to our homeland.” “We are trying to live like normal people regardless of the war. It’s about organizing our life in the most positive way.” Preserving Kyiv’s architectural heritage could be considered paradoxical at a moment when aerial assaults regularly target the capital, causing death and destruction. Since the start of the current year, bombing campaigns have been notably increased. After each strike, workers cover blown-out windows with plywood and attempt, where possible, to save residential buildings. Within the Conflict, a Battle for Identity Amid the bombs, a collective of activists has been working to save the city’s decaying mansions, built in a distinctive style known as Ukrainian modernism. Danylenko’s house is in the central Shevchenkivskyi district. It was erected in 1906 and was first the home of a affluent fur dealer. Its exterior is adorned with horse chestnut leaves and delicate camomile flowers. “They are symbols of Kyiv. These properties are increasingly scarce today,” Danylenko stated. The residence was designed by an architect of Austrian-German origin. Several other buildings nearby showcase analogous art nouveau features, including an irregular shape – with a gothic tower on one side and a turret on the other. One much-loved house in the area boasts two sullen white stucco cats, as well as owls, masks and a imp. Multiple Threats to Heritage But military aggression is only one threat. Preservation campaigners say they face profit-driven developers who demolish historically significant buildings, dishonest officials and a political leadership unconcerned or resistant to the city’s profound architectural history. The bitter winter climate presents another challenge. “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 closely associated with many of the developers who bulldoze important houses. Perov further alleged that the plan for the capital comes straight out of a different time. The mayor rejects these claims, attributing them from political rivals. Perov said many of the civically minded activists who once defended older properties were now engaged in combat or had been fallen. The ongoing conflict meant that all citizens was facing economic hardship, he added, including judicial figures who mysteriously ruled in favour of questionable new-build schemes. “The longer this goes on the more we see degradation of our society and public institutions,” he remarked. Loss and Disregard One egregious example of destruction is in the historic Podil neighbourhood. The street was the site of classical 19th-century houses. A developer who obtained the plot had agreed to preserve its charming brick facade. In the immediate aftermath of the onset of major hostilities, heavy machinery tore it down. Recently, a crane excavated foundations for a new commercial complex, monitored by a stern security guard. Anatolii Pohorily, a heritage supporter, said there was not much hope for the remaining turquoise-painted houses on the site. Sometimes developers destroyed old properties while claiming they were doing “scientific study”, he said. A 20th-century empire also caused immense damage on the capital, rebuilding its primary street after the second world war so it could facilitate military vehicles. Continuing the Work One of Kyiv’s most prominent defenders of historic buildings, a heritage expert, was fell in 2022 while serving in a eastern city. His colleague Nelli Chudna said she and other volunteers were persevering in his crucial preservation work. There were initially 3,500 stone mansions in Kyiv, many erected for the city’s successful industrialists. Only 80 of their period doors are still in existence, she said. “It wasn’t foreign rockets that destroyed them. It was us,” she lamented. “The war could continue for another 20 years. If we don’t defend architecture now not a thing will be left,” she emphasized. Chudna recently helped to restore a characterful creeper-covered house built in 1910, which serves as the headquarters of her cultural organization and doubles as a film set and museum. The property has a new crimson entrance and authentic railings; inside is a historic washroom and antique mirrors. “The war could last another 20 years. If we neglect architecture now little will be left.” The building’s resident, artist Yurii Pikul, described his home as “incredibly atmospheric and a little bit cold”. Why do many citizens not value the past? “Unfortunately they are without education and taste. It’s all about business. We are attempting as a country to move towards the west. But we are still not yet close from civilization,” he said. Previous ways of thinking lingered, with people unwilling to take personal responsibility for their urban environment, he added. Therapy in Action Some buildings are crumbling because of bureaucratic indifference. Chudna pointed to a once-magical villa hidden behind a modern hospital. Its roof had collapsed; pigeons made their home among its broken windows; rubbish lay under a whimsical tower. “Frequently we are unsuccessful,” she admitted. “Restoration is a coping mechanism for us. We are attempting to save all this heritage and aesthetic value.” In the face of destruction and neglect, these citizens continue their work, one door at a time, believing that to save a city’s identity, you must first save its stones.