🔗 Share this article Protecting Kyiv's Architectural Legacy: An Urban Center Reconstructing Its Foundations in the Shadow of War. Lesia Danylenko proudly presented her freshly fitted front door. Volunteers had playfully nicknamed its elegant transom window the “pastry”, a whimsical nod to its curved shape. “I think it’s more of a peacock,” she stated, appreciating its tree limb-inspired ornamentation. The refurbishment initiative at one of Kyiv’s pre-World War I art nouveau houses was made possible by residents, who marked the occasion with two neighbourhood pavement parties. It was also an demonstration of opposition in the face of a foreign power, she explained: “We are trying to live like normal people in spite of the war. It’s about organizing our life in the optimal way. We’re not afraid of remaining in Ukraine. I had the option to depart, starting anew to a foreign land. On the contrary, I’m here. The new entrance represents our dedication to our homeland.” “We are trying to live like everyday people despite the war. It’s about shaping our life in the most positive way.” Protecting Kyiv’s historic buildings could be considered unusual at a moment when drone attacks frequently hit the capital, causing death and destruction. Since the onset of the current year, bombing campaigns have been dramatically stepped up. After each strike, workers seal shattered windows with plywood and try, where possible, to secure residential buildings. Within the Conflict, a Fight for Beauty Despite the violence, a group of activists has been striving to preserve the city’s crumbling mansions, built in a whimsical style known as Ukrainian modernism. Danylenko’s house is in the central Shevchenkivskyi district. It was built in 1906 and was initially the home of a prosperous fur dealer. Its exterior is decorated with horse chestnut leaves and delicate camomile flowers. “They are symbols of Kyiv. These properties are increasingly scarce today,” Danylenko noted. The building was designed by a designer of Central European origin. Several other buildings close by display analogous art nouveau characteristics, including an irregular shape – with a pointed turret on one side and a turret on the other. One beloved house in the area features two forlorn white stucco cats, as well as owls, masks and a devil. Dual Threats to Heritage But external attacks is only one threat. Preservation campaigners say they face profit-driven developers who knock down historically significant buildings, dishonest officials and a political leadership apathetic or hostile to the city’s rich architectural history. The harsh winter climate presents another burden. “Kyiv is a city where money wins. We lack genuine political will to save our heritage,” said Dmytro Perov, an activist. He asserted the city’s leadership was closely associated with many of the developers who destroy important houses. Perov added that the concept for the capital is reminiscent of a bygone era. The mayor denies these claims, saying they originate 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 fallen. The protracted conflict meant that everyone was facing monetary strain, he added, including judicial figures who mysteriously ruled in favour of questionable new-build schemes. “The longer this persists the more we see deterioration of our society and governing institutions,” he argued. Destruction and Abandonment One glaring demolition site is in the waterside Podil neighbourhood. The street was lined with classical 19th-century houses. A developer who obtained the plot had agreed to preserve its charming brick facade. Shortly following the onset of major hostilities, excavators razed it to the ground. Recently, a crane prepared foundations for a new commercial complex, observed by a unfriendly security guard. Anatolii Pohorily, a heritage supporter, said there was not much hope for the remaining coloured houses on the site. Sometimes developers demolished old properties while asserting they were doing “scientific study”, he said. A former political system also inflicted immense damage on the capital, redesigning its central boulevard after the second world war so it could accommodate official processions. Upholding the Legacy One of Kyiv’s most prominent defenders 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 continuing his vital preservation work. There were originally 3,500 stone mansions in Kyiv, many erected for the city’s prosperous business magnates. Only 80 of their original doors are still in existence, she said. “It wasn’t foreign rockets that eliminated them. It was us,” she said with regret. “The war could go on for another 20 years. If we fail to protect architecture now not a thing will be left,” she continued. Chudna recently helped to restore a characterful creeper-covered house built in 1910, which functions as the headquarters of her cultural organization and operates as a film set and museum. The property has a new red door and original-style railings; inside is a period bathroom and antique mirrors. “The war could last another 20 years. If we fail to protect architecture now not a thing will be left.” The building’s occupant, artist Yurii Pikul, described his home as “quite special and a little bit cold”. Why do many citizens not value the past? “Sadly they do not have education and taste. It’s all about business. We are striving as a country to move towards the west. But we are still not yet close from that standard,” he said. Soviet-era ways of thinking persisted, with people hesitant to take personal responsibility for their architectural setting, he added. Resilience in Preservation Some buildings are collapsing because of official neglect. Chudna pointed to a once-magical villa concealed behind a modern hospital. Its roof had caved in; pigeons nested among its shattered windows; debris lay under a fairytale tower. “Many times we lose the battle,” she conceded. “Restoration is a coping mechanism for us. We are striving to save all this history and aesthetic value.” In the face of destruction and commercial interests, these citizens continue their work, one building at a time, stating that to save a city’s identity, you must first protect its walls.
Lesia Danylenko proudly presented her freshly fitted front door. Volunteers had playfully nicknamed its elegant transom window the “pastry”, a whimsical nod to its curved shape. “I think it’s more of a peacock,” she stated, appreciating its tree limb-inspired ornamentation. The refurbishment initiative at one of Kyiv’s pre-World War I art nouveau houses was made possible by residents, who marked the occasion with two neighbourhood pavement parties. It was also an demonstration of opposition in the face of a foreign power, she explained: “We are trying to live like normal people in spite of the war. It’s about organizing our life in the optimal way. We’re not afraid of remaining in Ukraine. I had the option to depart, starting anew to a foreign land. On the contrary, I’m here. The new entrance represents our dedication to our homeland.” “We are trying to live like everyday people despite the war. It’s about shaping our life in the most positive way.” Protecting Kyiv’s historic buildings could be considered unusual at a moment when drone attacks frequently hit the capital, causing death and destruction. Since the onset of the current year, bombing campaigns have been dramatically stepped up. After each strike, workers seal shattered windows with plywood and try, where possible, to secure residential buildings. Within the Conflict, a Fight for Beauty Despite the violence, a group of activists has been striving to preserve the city’s crumbling mansions, built in a whimsical style known as Ukrainian modernism. Danylenko’s house is in the central Shevchenkivskyi district. It was built in 1906 and was initially the home of a prosperous fur dealer. Its exterior is decorated with horse chestnut leaves and delicate camomile flowers. “They are symbols of Kyiv. These properties are increasingly scarce today,” Danylenko noted. The building was designed by a designer of Central European origin. Several other buildings close by display analogous art nouveau characteristics, including an irregular shape – with a pointed turret on one side and a turret on the other. One beloved house in the area features two forlorn white stucco cats, as well as owls, masks and a devil. Dual Threats to Heritage But external attacks is only one threat. Preservation campaigners say they face profit-driven developers who knock down historically significant buildings, dishonest officials and a political leadership apathetic or hostile to the city’s rich architectural history. The harsh winter climate presents another burden. “Kyiv is a city where money wins. We lack genuine political will to save our heritage,” said Dmytro Perov, an activist. He asserted the city’s leadership was closely associated with many of the developers who destroy important houses. Perov added that the concept for the capital is reminiscent of a bygone era. The mayor denies these claims, saying they originate 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 fallen. The protracted conflict meant that everyone was facing monetary strain, he added, including judicial figures who mysteriously ruled in favour of questionable new-build schemes. “The longer this persists the more we see deterioration of our society and governing institutions,” he argued. Destruction and Abandonment One glaring demolition site is in the waterside Podil neighbourhood. The street was lined with classical 19th-century houses. A developer who obtained the plot had agreed to preserve its charming brick facade. Shortly following the onset of major hostilities, excavators razed it to the ground. Recently, a crane prepared foundations for a new commercial complex, observed by a unfriendly security guard. Anatolii Pohorily, a heritage supporter, said there was not much hope for the remaining coloured houses on the site. Sometimes developers demolished old properties while asserting they were doing “scientific study”, he said. A former political system also inflicted immense damage on the capital, redesigning its central boulevard after the second world war so it could accommodate official processions. Upholding the Legacy One of Kyiv’s most prominent defenders 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 continuing his vital preservation work. There were originally 3,500 stone mansions in Kyiv, many erected for the city’s prosperous business magnates. Only 80 of their original doors are still in existence, she said. “It wasn’t foreign rockets that eliminated them. It was us,” she said with regret. “The war could go on for another 20 years. If we fail to protect architecture now not a thing will be left,” she continued. Chudna recently helped to restore a characterful creeper-covered house built in 1910, which functions as the headquarters of her cultural organization and operates as a film set and museum. The property has a new red door and original-style railings; inside is a period bathroom and antique mirrors. “The war could last another 20 years. If we fail to protect architecture now not a thing will be left.” The building’s occupant, artist Yurii Pikul, described his home as “quite special and a little bit cold”. Why do many citizens not value the past? “Sadly they do not have education and taste. It’s all about business. We are striving as a country to move towards the west. But we are still not yet close from that standard,” he said. Soviet-era ways of thinking persisted, with people hesitant to take personal responsibility for their architectural setting, he added. Resilience in Preservation Some buildings are collapsing because of official neglect. Chudna pointed to a once-magical villa concealed behind a modern hospital. Its roof had caved in; pigeons nested among its shattered windows; debris lay under a fairytale tower. “Many times we lose the battle,” she conceded. “Restoration is a coping mechanism for us. We are striving to save all this history and aesthetic value.” In the face of destruction and commercial interests, these citizens continue their work, one building at a time, stating that to save a city’s identity, you must first protect its walls.