đ Share this article Safeguarding the Capital's Architectural Legacy: An Urban Center Reconstructing Its Foundations Amidst the Onslaught of Conflict. Lesia Danylenko showed off with satisfaction her recently completed front door. The restoration team had affectionately dubbed its ornate transom window the âcrescent rollâ, a whimsical nod to its arched shape. âI think itâs more of a peacock,â she commented, gazing at its twig-detailed features. The refurbishment initiative at one of Kyivâs early 20th-century art nouveau houses was funded through residents, who commemorated the work with two impromptu pavement parties. It was also an act of defiance towards a neighboring state, she clarified: âOur aim is to live like ordinary people in spite of the war. Itâs about arranging our life in the most positive way. Fear does not drive us of living in Ukraine. The possibility to emigrate existed, relocating to another European nation. Instead, Iâm here. The new entrance symbolizes our commitment to our homeland.â âWe are trying to live like ordinary people regardless of the war. Itâs about shaping our life in the best possible way.â Preserving Kyivâs built legacy may appear unusual at a period when aerial assaults routinely fall the capital, resulting in death and destruction. Since the beginning of the current year, aerial raids have been dramatically stepped up. After each strike, workers board up blown-out windows with plywood and try, where possible, to salvage residential buildings. Within the Bombs, a Battle for History In the midst of war, a group of activists has been working to save the cityâs deteriorating mansions, built in a distinctive style known as Ukrainian modernism. Danylenkoâs house is in the historic Shevchenkivskyi district. It was constructed in 1906 and was originally the home of a prosperous fur dealer. Its outer walls is decorated with horse chestnut leaves and delicate camomile flowers. âThese structures stand as symbols of Kyiv. These properties are uncommon today,â Danylenko stated. The mansion was designed by a designer of Central European origin. Several other buildings in the vicinity showcase comparable art nouveau features, including asymmetry â with a medieval spire on one side and a projection on the other. One beloved house in the area boasts two forlorn white stucco cats, as well as owls, masks and a imp. Multiple Threats to Legacy But armed conflict is only one threat. Preservation campaigners say they face unscrupulous developers who knock down listed buildings, corrupt officials and a political leadership indifferent or opposed to the cityâs profound architectural history. The harsh winter climate imposes another challenge. âKyiv is a city where wealth dictates. We donât have substantive political will to save our heritage,â said Dmytro Perov, an activist. He alleged the cityâs mayor was allied with many of the developers who bulldoze important houses. Perov added that the concept for the capital harks back to a bygone era. The mayor has refuted these claims, stating they come from political rivals. Perov said many of the community-oriented activists who once defended older properties were now fighting on the frontline or had been killed. The ongoing conflict meant that everyone was facing economic hardship, he added, including judicial figures who mysteriously ruled in favour of dubious new-build schemes. âThe longer this persists the more we see decline of our society and state bodies,â he contended. Destruction and Neglect One egregious location of loss is in the waterside Podil neighbourhood. The street was home to classical 19th-century houses. A developer who obtained the plot had agreed to preserve its picturesque brick facade. Shortly following the full-scale invasion, excavators razed it to the ground. Recently, a crane dug foundations for a new shopping and business centre, watched by a unfriendly 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 claiming they were doing âhistorical excavationâ, he said. A previous regime also caused immense damage on the capital, rebuilding its main thoroughfare after the second world war so it could facilitate large-scale parades. Carrying the Torch One of Kyivâs most prominent champions of historic buildings, a heritage expert, was lost his life in 2022 while serving in a eastern city. His colleague Nelli Chudna said she and other volunteers were persevering in his vital preservation work. There were originally 3,500 masonry mansions in Kyiv, many built for the cityâs successful industrialists. Only 80 of their authentic doors are still in existence, she said. âIt wasnât external attacks that eliminated them. It was us,â she admitted sadly. âThe war could continue for another 20 years. If we donât defend architecture now nothing will be left,â she continued. Chudna recently helped to restore a unique creeper-covered house built in 1910, which functions as the headquarters of her cultural organization and doubles as a film set and museum. The property has a new vermilion portal and period-correct railings; inside is a period bathroom and antique mirrors. âThe war could last another 20 years. If we neglect architecture now little will be left.â The buildingâs occupant, artist Yurii Pikul, described his home as âvery cool and a little bit coldâ. Why do many residents not cherish the past? âSadly they are without education and taste. Itâs all about business. We are attempting as a country to go to the west. But we are still a way off from that standard,â he said. Previous ways of thinking persisted, with people hesitant to take personal responsibility for their urban environment, he added. Resilience 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 caved in; pigeons made their home among its shattered windows; rubbish lay under a whimsical tower. âFrequently we are unsuccessful,â she admitted. âThis activity is a form of healing for us. We are trying to save all this heritage and splendour.â In the face of destruction and neglect, these citizens continue their work, one door at a time, believing that to rebuild a cityâs soul, you must first save its walls.
Lesia Danylenko showed off with satisfaction her recently completed front door. The restoration team had affectionately dubbed its ornate transom window the âcrescent rollâ, a whimsical nod to its arched shape. âI think itâs more of a peacock,â she commented, gazing at its twig-detailed features. The refurbishment initiative at one of Kyivâs early 20th-century art nouveau houses was funded through residents, who commemorated the work with two impromptu pavement parties. It was also an act of defiance towards a neighboring state, she clarified: âOur aim is to live like ordinary people in spite of the war. Itâs about arranging our life in the most positive way. Fear does not drive us of living in Ukraine. The possibility to emigrate existed, relocating to another European nation. Instead, Iâm here. The new entrance symbolizes our commitment to our homeland.â âWe are trying to live like ordinary people regardless of the war. Itâs about shaping our life in the best possible way.â Preserving Kyivâs built legacy may appear unusual at a period when aerial assaults routinely fall the capital, resulting in death and destruction. Since the beginning of the current year, aerial raids have been dramatically stepped up. After each strike, workers board up blown-out windows with plywood and try, where possible, to salvage residential buildings. Within the Bombs, a Battle for History In the midst of war, a group of activists has been working to save the cityâs deteriorating mansions, built in a distinctive style known as Ukrainian modernism. Danylenkoâs house is in the historic Shevchenkivskyi district. It was constructed in 1906 and was originally the home of a prosperous fur dealer. Its outer walls is decorated with horse chestnut leaves and delicate camomile flowers. âThese structures stand as symbols of Kyiv. These properties are uncommon today,â Danylenko stated. The mansion was designed by a designer of Central European origin. Several other buildings in the vicinity showcase comparable art nouveau features, including asymmetry â with a medieval spire on one side and a projection on the other. One beloved house in the area boasts two forlorn white stucco cats, as well as owls, masks and a imp. Multiple Threats to Legacy But armed conflict is only one threat. Preservation campaigners say they face unscrupulous developers who knock down listed buildings, corrupt officials and a political leadership indifferent or opposed to the cityâs profound architectural history. The harsh winter climate imposes another challenge. âKyiv is a city where wealth dictates. We donât have substantive political will to save our heritage,â said Dmytro Perov, an activist. He alleged the cityâs mayor was allied with many of the developers who bulldoze important houses. Perov added that the concept for the capital harks back to a bygone era. The mayor has refuted these claims, stating they come from political rivals. Perov said many of the community-oriented activists who once defended older properties were now fighting on the frontline or had been killed. The ongoing conflict meant that everyone was facing economic hardship, he added, including judicial figures who mysteriously ruled in favour of dubious new-build schemes. âThe longer this persists the more we see decline of our society and state bodies,â he contended. Destruction and Neglect One egregious location of loss is in the waterside Podil neighbourhood. The street was home to classical 19th-century houses. A developer who obtained the plot had agreed to preserve its picturesque brick facade. Shortly following the full-scale invasion, excavators razed it to the ground. Recently, a crane dug foundations for a new shopping and business centre, watched by a unfriendly 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 claiming they were doing âhistorical excavationâ, he said. A previous regime also caused immense damage on the capital, rebuilding its main thoroughfare after the second world war so it could facilitate large-scale parades. Carrying the Torch One of Kyivâs most prominent champions of historic buildings, a heritage expert, was lost his life in 2022 while serving in a eastern city. His colleague Nelli Chudna said she and other volunteers were persevering in his vital preservation work. There were originally 3,500 masonry mansions in Kyiv, many built for the cityâs successful industrialists. Only 80 of their authentic doors are still in existence, she said. âIt wasnât external attacks that eliminated them. It was us,â she admitted sadly. âThe war could continue for another 20 years. If we donât defend architecture now nothing will be left,â she continued. Chudna recently helped to restore a unique creeper-covered house built in 1910, which functions as the headquarters of her cultural organization and doubles as a film set and museum. The property has a new vermilion portal and period-correct railings; inside is a period bathroom and antique mirrors. âThe war could last another 20 years. If we neglect architecture now little will be left.â The buildingâs occupant, artist Yurii Pikul, described his home as âvery cool and a little bit coldâ. Why do many residents not cherish the past? âSadly they are without education and taste. Itâs all about business. We are attempting as a country to go to the west. But we are still a way off from that standard,â he said. Previous ways of thinking persisted, with people hesitant to take personal responsibility for their urban environment, he added. Resilience 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 caved in; pigeons made their home among its shattered windows; rubbish lay under a whimsical tower. âFrequently we are unsuccessful,â she admitted. âThis activity is a form of healing for us. We are trying to save all this heritage and splendour.â In the face of destruction and neglect, these citizens continue their work, one door at a time, believing that to rebuild a cityâs soul, you must first save its walls.