UCRAINICO RENAISSANCE

Imagine a host, wearing a Ukrainian traditional outfiмt smoking a huge pipe hanging out of his mouth. He meets you at the gate of his little estate, and then leads the way to his thatched-roof house built God-knows-how many centuries ago. When you enter the svitlytsya, you will be invited to sit down at the table. While you wait for the meal to be served, you can have a look around. You can see icons decorated with rushnyky,the beams of the low ceiling, wooden walls with bags of fragrant herbs hanging here and there, and wooden benches covered with homemade cloth. In other words, the interior of the house is a faithful reconstruction of what a typical Ukrainian peasant houselooked like in the nineteenth century.

(Adapted from Green Tourism in Ukraine: Green Delight, but Green in Age, The Ukrainian, 1’2006, 66–69.)

You will not see any of these peculiarities in this project except for some typical Ukrainian ornaments on adaptive parametric frontages and decorations. The main aspect I aimed to preserve and transfer is atmosphere and energy of harmony and hospitality, comfort and cosiness, security and trust, relax and happiness...in brief feeling of happy home. In  the process of generating my project I was guided by the idea of revival of the traditional Ukrainian house, the construction of which has not been changed for centuries. Thus the traditional Ukrainian house has been inriched with modern conceptions and conveniences.

The building is rather multifunctional and can easily be adapted to any type of countryside and to any kind of natural energy (water, wind, solar) that is available in chosen area. 

But the most beneficial and preferable location is steppe areas The building is constructed of adobe bricks which are environmentally friendly. You will not notice a single 

radiator in the house, as heating is provided by floor heating system, and water is heated by briquette boiler. All building area is used rather effectively. One of the peculiaritiets of the project is movable adaptive parametric frontage which is rather functional. It serves 

not only as decoration of building as it is creatively decorated with an ancient ornaments with a symbolic meaning of harmony and perfection. This frontage can protect the building and its inhabitants in sunny and hot weather creating cosy atmosphere of shady forest with bizarre reflections of sunbeams on walls. In a rainy or nasty weather it can be easily removed and the whole family can enjoy listening to the melody of rain and observing marvelous landscapes of nature after “shower”. Besides the area between adaptive parametric frontage and house can be used as terrace, picnic place or playing yard. All you need to do is to choose landscape to your taste as every side of the house is equipped by its own isolated movable adaptive parametric frontage.

Atrium country yard is a dream of almost every person in modern times  taking into account pandemic situation in the world. It gives the opportunity to all family members to be closer to nature, feel its energy, enjoy playing and relaxing on fresh green grass despite 

the weather and season. In addition it can serve as a perfect place for meditation and recreation. Light lantern is a great addition to it and helps to relax and enjoy the process to the fullest looking at clouds floating and stars twinkling. Using your telescope you also can spend nights observing constellations and looking for the Milky Way.

I had tremendous plans for decoration of the atrium country yard. I believe every family should have in their house a kind of sacred place that joins them to their nation, their tradition, culture and fills up with a specific energy of identity. According to the Ukrainian 

traditional beliefs fire is the heart of the house and should be arranged in the centre of it. So l decided to place an antique potbelly stove at the wall adjusting it to the heating room. Two traditional coffers decorated with ancient carvings and incrustation could serve as 

coffee tables, commodes or lockers. Handwoven rugs, embroidered rushnyks, handmade pottery decorated with different symbolic ornaments, wooden bench with intricate carvings instead of modern sofa could create the necessary atmosphere of home heart. 

All these antique furniture and decorations can be found in our country but unfortunately their models are not available on the internet resourses.So my plan failed and the conception could not be revealed to the full...   

Thus l had to look for alternatives: potbelly stove was charged for candlesticks with candles, wooden bench for sofa, coffers for bedside table and shelves, ancient Ukrainian decorations for pictures. Now atrium country yard looks modern and fashionable.