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A curved bench and sinuous display rails meander through the interconnected spaces of this fashion store in Kyiv, Ukraine, which interior designer Katerina Kovalenko has conceived as a calming sanctuary for shoppers. More
Plywood and stainless steel meet historic brickwork in this bistro inside a former Kyiv nightclub designed by Ukrainian architect Nastia Mirzoyan. More
Ukrainian studio Bude Architects has designed a minimalist showroom and salon for cosmetic company Pleka in Kyiv.
As the first step in a brand transformation for Pleka, the studio designed the showroom in an early 20th-century building to showcase natural materials with a neutral and inviting colour palette.
Bude Architects has taken a minimalist approach to the showroom interiorHistoric yellow bricks made from local clay, which are characteristic of architecture in Kyiv during the 19th and early 20th century, were exposed throughout the interior.
The studio showcased the material as it was keen to create a space that resonated with the architecture of the building, with other materials selected to complement this brickwork.
Exposed yellow brick has been incorporated as a key feature throughout the interior”The choice of materials was influenced by the space background,” Bude Architects co-founder Julia Shataliuk told Dezeen.
“We wanted to showcase the historic yellow brick, so we were looking for good companions for it.”
The multifunctional showroom incorporates a retail space and a beauty salonThe studio combined the brickwork with natural woods, travertine and an earthy shade of decorative plaster, with the aim of creating a warm environment to reflect Pleka’s brand identity.
“The brand’s core value is a careful and attentive attitude towards its customers,” Julia Shataliuk explained. “They manifest the importance of each person taking care of themselves.”
“It was important for us to create a space that would convey the brand’s openness, create a special atmosphere, and improve the customer experience,” she continued. “This is reflected in the spatial solutions and materials.”
Pared back, neutral tones have been used throughout the space to create a calming environmentBude Architects designed the space to encourage customers to interact with staff and test the products as well as utilising the beauty services on offer.
“Pleka had a request to give customers more attention and an individual approach,” said Julia Shataliuk. “The result of the cooperation is a hybrid space where they comfortably unite a store and an express beauty salon in a small area.”
Designated seating areas were incorporated into the scheme to create a comfortable customer experienceSet in a sunken ground floor, the showroom’s entrance space has a large reception desk, a client meeting area and a large, feature shelving unit. The studio designed the space to draw people in from the busy street.
“It was crucial for us to use the shape of the room and its content to attract the attention of passers-by from the street through the windows,” explained co-founder Denys Shataliuk.
A large dining table adds a homely element to the interiorThe shelving unit on the far wall functions as a focal point within the space to highlight the retail products – made from aluminium and mounted onto a mirrored surface, the unit was intended to contrast with the earthy tones of the interior.
This section also contains a large meeting table, which acts as a designated area for clients to meet with staff and emphasises Pleka’s aim of building lasting customer relationships.
Glass bricks divide spaces in Suprematism apartment in Kyiv
“When we researched the brand to reflect its identity in the interior, we learned that the company establishes warm and long-term relationships with its customers,” said Denys Shataliuk.
“It was important to express this friendliness through the space by creating an atmosphere of trust and comfort.”
The large shelving unit acts as a focal point to showcase Pleka’s cosmetic productsAt the rear of the showroom, the second room has a more private atmosphere, with “a functional double-sided island with a built-in-sink” utilised for product testing and Pleka’s beauty salon services.
Small hearts have also been incorporated throughout the interior scheme to reflect the brand identity, featured on custom clothing hooks and metal inlays in the worktops.
The double-sided island is used for product testing and beauty salon servicesBude Architects was founded by Ukrainian couple, Denys and Julia Shataliuk. Originally from Kharkiv, the architects were forced to relocate to Kyiv due to the ongoing conflict. Other recently completed projects in Kyiv include a Nastia Mirzoyan’s renovation of a Stalinist-era flat and a colourful industrial-style interior created by design studio Dihome.
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Architecture practice Mirzoyan Studio has renovated an apartment in the historic centre of Kyiv, Ukraine, adding reflective surfaces and built-in oak furniture.
The studio updated the two-bedroom apartment, which is within a Stalinka – a type of building characteristic of the architecture of the Soviet Union under the leadership of Joseph Stalin in the 1930s – to turn it into a rental property.
Mirzoyan Studio renovated the Stalinist-era flat in KyivMirzoyan Studio founder Nastia Mirzoyan explained that the building’s historical character posed certain structural limitations, requiring “careful planning to avoid compromising its integrity”. To create the rental property, Mirzoyan opened up the apartment, which was originally the client’s family home.
“To create a more spacious environment, we decided to merge the living room and kitchen into one common area,” explained Mirzoyan.
A shelving unit divides the kitchen and the living roomThe practice used partition shelves and built-in furniture to seperate the spaces. A wooden shelving unit takes centre stage in the main space, dividing the living room from the kitchen.
The dining table extends out from the shelving unit towards the kitchen. Cabinets and a countertop finished in polished stainless steel are fixed in the primary working nook of the kitchen.
The kitchen cabinets and countertop are finished in polished stainless steelNear the entrance, the team installed a full-height mirrored closet, creating a distinct entryway.
Leftover broken marble was sourced from a local supplier for the flooring of the entryway and the bathroom.
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The studio’s colour choices were influenced by the fact that the apartment is oriented towards the northeast and receives limited natural light.
“We opted for light and warm background colours to counteract this, creating a brighter and more inviting space,” said Mirzoyan.
A mirrored closet is installed in the entrywayThe property is dotted with reflective materials such as mirrors and stainless steel, which were chosen to “enhance the perceived depth and brightness”.
The living room and kitchen are lined with French windows opening into a quiet courtyard.
A warm and light colour palette is used across the apartmentThe use of materials such as wood and terrazzo across the space is a reference to the building’s heritage, aiming to add a “sense of historical continuity”.
Mirzoyan’s design philosophy is focused on striving to create “spaces that blend local history with contemporary elements, balancing eclectic decisions to produce environments that feel both timeless and modern”.
The bathroom floor is covered in broken marbleOwing to the ongoing war in Ukraine, the practice faced significant challenges in completing this project.
“Sometimes builders simply could not come to the site, and sometimes they came and sat in a shelter for hours,” Mirzoyan told Dezeen. “There were times when construction was halted for months, and the project budget was cut in half.”
“This experience has reinforced the importance of practical and durable design solutions that can withstand unpredictable conditions.”
Moreover, Mirzoyan foresees a trend towards “using locally sourced materials and supporting local craftsmen, contributing to the resilience and self-sufficiency of the community”.
Recently, Mirzoyan Studio also completed a hotel bar in Kyiv’s historic Podil neighbourhood.
Elsewhere in the city, Modektura has renovated an apartment featuring a balcony-turned-conservatory and Dihome has created a colourful industrial-style interior for a young couple.
The photography is by Yevhenii Avramenko.
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This hotel bar in the centre of Kyiv, Ukraine, was designed by Mirzoyan Studio to have plywood panelled walls and a green latticed ceiling to improve acoustics.
Bursa Bar opened earlier this year in the city’s historic Podil neighbourhood, on the first floor of the boutique Bursa Hotel.
Bursa Bar was designed to look like the inside of a speaker or musical instrumentThe 55-square-metre cocktail bar was designed by Mirzoyan Studio founder Nastia Mirzoyan as a place for music lovers, hoping to attract “vinyl record enthusiasts and live-set lovers every weekend”.
“The architect’s idea was to create a space reminiscent of a musical instrument, where every visitor would feel like they’re inside a giant music speaker or guitar, surrounded by a cosy atmosphere of plywood,” said the team.
The space is lined with dark-stained plywood as a nod to contemporary Japanese designThe interior is lined with dark-stained plywood as a nod to contemporary Japanese design.
The material forms evenly spaced wall panelling, simple bench seating and shelves for displaying liquor bottles and vinyl records.
The space includes a DJ booth and an extensive vinyl record collectionA grid of wooden boards creates a coffered ceiling that helps to dampen echoes and improve acoustics in the space, as well as preventing the sound from travelling to guest rooms above.
This results in a lower ceiling height but allows lighting and ventilation systems to be hidden inside while creating a more intimate atmosphere within the bar.
Plywood is also used for built-in seating, accompanied by furniture with stainless steel legs”In our design, we aimed to subtly implement the features of Eastern style: orthogonal lines, clean shapes, horizontal orientation of objects, vertical rhythm of walls, and orthogonal ceiling,” Mirzoyan said.
Furniture with stainless steel legs is pushed to the edges of the rectangular room, with the bar and accompanying stools on one side, and a row of small high-top tables along the built-in bench on the other.
The bar counter front is clad in ochre, white and dark green relief tilesStraight in front of the entry door is a DJ booth, also crafted from plywood, behind which the extensive vinyl record collection is stored.
The centre of the space is left empty as a dance floor, where guests can move freely to sounds from the Ojas speakers.
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The front of the bar counter is clad using relief tiles in ochre, white and a dark forest green hue that matches the ceiling and the Flowerpot lamps by Verner Panton, which illuminate some of the tables.
Extra seating is provided at stainless steel counters installed in the window niches on either side of the door.
Additional seating is provided at stainless steel counters installed in window nichesThe lighting scheme is fully adjustable to create different atmospheres in different areas of the room.
“We combined accent lighting for guest seating areas, creating small bright spots, and used soft linear lighting to emphasize vinyl shelves and exquisite drinks,” said Mirzoyan. “This way, every guest feels special.”
Sound from Ojas speakers is improved thanks to the coffered ceilingDespite Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia, several projects have completed in Kyiv – from a laser clinic with futuristic interiors to a dance studio outfitted with custom furniture made from materials sourced in the face of wartime shortages.
Other spots for drinking and dancing in the city include the Virgin Izakaya Bar in a former arsenal building, which was shortlisted in the restaurant and bar interior category of Dezeen Awards 2021.
The photography is by Yevhenii Avramenko.
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Design studio Dihome has created a colourful industrial-style interior for this compact 15th-floor apartment in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Named Suprematism, this 42-square-metre apartment was adapted for a young couple who wanted a bright, colourful apartment with the most functional use of space.
“I wanted to dress the interior in a modern, bold way to give it a young and relaxed theme,” Dihome founder Yevheniia Sytnik told Dezeen.
Geometric shapes and block colours characterise this apartment in Kyiv by design studio DihomeExisting walls were removed to create an open-plan layout, while glass bricks and panels were added to create spatial zoning without obstructing natural light.
“Glass blocks, plywood and concrete are the DNA of this project,” said Sytnik.
“The glass blocks in the living room required the builders to take them for grinding three times to ensure they fit perfectly,” she continued.
The colour scheme is based on a palette of orange, blue, yellow and redSet against a backdrop of painted white walls, colour was introduced through furnishings and decorative pieces, including an orange coffee table and a deep blue velvet sofa in the living space.
Above hangs a burnt orange wall panel by Ukrainian artist Tasha Oro, whose work references the early 20th-century art movement Suprematism – which the apartment is named after.
“Suprematism is characterised by simple abstract forms such as squares, circles, and rectangles,” said Sytnik.
The apartment is set across an open-plan areaWhile the living spaces are spread across one open-plan space, the kitchen is distinguished from the rest of the living area with a reeded glass partition and a change in materials.
Grey stools with tubular red legs tuck under the kitchen work surface to create a space-saving dining area, with a floor-to-ceiling mirror panel incorporated to create the illusion of space.
Dividing the bedroom from the social spaces is a structural concrete pillarA structural concrete pillar acts as a partition between the living spaces and the bedroom, doubling as a TV unit on one side and shelving space on the other.
“This volume incorporates the constructive element of the building – the concrete pillar – and becomes the axis of the entire interior,” said Sytnik.
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Two additional decorative wall panels by Tasha Oro hang on the bedroom side of the pillar in pastel tones.
“I worked on the project as if in a constant dialogue with Oro’s panels,” said Sytnik.
Space-saving storage solutions are incorporated throughout the designIn the bedroom is an inbuilt desk and a low platform bed, with a yellow curtain used to neatly conceal wardrobe space.
Rough-textured concrete ceilings with exposed electrical wiring give the apartment an industrial look.
A colourful geometric panel, designed by Re:Quiet using recycled plastic bottles, functions as a noise absorber.
Glass bricks separate the bathroom from the wider apartmentDivided using a glass brick wall, the bathroom is the only separate volume in the apartment, with red and yellow tones continued here.
“Suprematist motifs in the bathroom tiles and bright yellow kitchen are complimented by the graphic patterns of the ceramic granite,” said Sytnik.
Other Kyiv-based projects recently featured on Dezeen include an apartment renovation by Modektura and a fitness studio made from leftover materials in the face of wartime shortages.
Photography is by Andrey Avdeenko.
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Elements of Ukrainian and Japanese architecture combine at this pared-back residence on the outskirts of Kyiv, which local architecture studio Shovk created for a client with a passion for Japanese culture.
The project involved the transformation of a basic bungalow built in 2010 into a two-storey dwelling that makes the most of its picturesque setting in a garden lined by conifer trees.
Charred wood was used to clad the exterior of Dzen HouseShovk lead architect and partner Anton Verhun oversaw the design, which was informed by the owner’s travels to Japan and his respect for the aesthetic simplicity and practicality of traditional Japanese interiors.
“Dzen House was conceived as a place where the client and his family could feel in harmony with themselves and the world,” Verhun told Dezeen.
The two-storey home was originally a bungalow”They wanted somewhere they could simply watch the rain outside the window, warm themselves by the fireplace and practice yoga on the tatami mat near the round window,” he added.
Shovk implemented several references to Japanese architecture in the project, including a large roof with overhanging eaves and an exposed wooden structure.
A wood-fired oven features in the living roomThe exterior of the first floor is clad with Japanese-style yakisugi charred wood that provides natural weatherproofing. The blackened timber contrasts with the traditional Ukrainian mazanka plaster finish applied to the ground floor’s internal and external surfaces.
The house’s entrance leads directly into a kitchen and dining space at one end of the largely open ground floor. A functional core at the centre of the plan separates this space from a lounge at the opposite end.
Shovk’s interior scheme was informed by traditional Japanese designThe volume containing the staircase, utility room and shower room delineates the communal areas while allowing free-flowing circulation that helps to create a feeling of spaciousness.
Throughout the building, large openings including frameless floor-to-ceiling windows on either side of the living room provide a strong connection to the gardens.
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A fireplace located near the centre of the living area creates a focal point within this room. Its stainless steel chimney passes through the bedroom above, helping to warm the spaces on both floors.
The new first floor was constructed from timber to minimise loading on the existing walls and foundations. Its interior is lined with birch plywood that has a similar thermal expansion coefficient to the pine frame, thus helping to prevent any cracks caused by movement.
One room was dedicated to meditation and tea ceremoniesA simple plywood staircase ascends to a sequence of low, attic-like spaces including two bedrooms, a study, bathroom, utility room and a Japanese-style room with tatami mat flooring.
Verhun added a circular window as an expressive element that “brings softness and naturalness” to the space, used for tea ceremonies, yoga and meditation.
The compact main bedroom features a podium bed set next to a large frameless window that looks out onto the nearby trees. Built-in wardrobes provide discreet storage, while the exposed chimney adds a distinctive feature.
A plywood staircase leads up to the second floorAccording to Verhun, the house’s owner has temporarily moved to another Ukrainian city for his own safety due to Russia’s invasion of the country.
The project was completed despite long power cuts, air raids and missile attacks that forced the builders to spend hours in shelters.
Birch plywood lines the upper-floor interiorVerhun also said that Shovk has begun taking on more projects abroad due to a decline in its Ukrainian work resulting from the ongoing war.
Other recently completed projects in Kyiv include an apartment renovation by Modektura and a dance studio that was furnished using materials sourced from around the city in the face of wartime shortages.
The photography is by Yevhenii Avramenko.
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A balcony-turned-conservatory features in an apartment renovated by architecture and interior studio Modektura in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Kyiv-based Modektura designed the interior to reflect the history of the apartment block, which was initially constructed in 1900.
The one-bedroom apartment was renovated by Modektura”We wanted to tie it back to the house itself,” Modektura founder Maksym Dietkovskyi told Dezeen.
“Colours and textures were chosen to create an interior that feels like it has a history – one that has been waiting for its owner for a long time.”
The studio added sand to the terrazzo flooringThe studio refurbished the flooring of the apartment incorporating sand into the terrazzo as part of several material experiments undertaken by the studio during this project.
Additionally, marble chips were embedded within the mineral plaster on the walls.
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“The idea to experiment with materials was inspired by old decorative techniques, blending them with a modern approach” Dietkovskyi explained.
“Using sand and marble chips not only combined their decorative properties but also created a unique, aesthetically pleasing effect.”
The open archways feature an inner wooden frameToned-oak, marble, stainless-steel and brass was used throughout the rest of the apartment.
The material palette was chosen to “cultivate a sense of stability and tranquility”.
Doors were swapped for open archways that feature a decorative moulding with an inner wooden frame.
A balcony was turned into a conservatoryA corridor, described by the architect as a “central artery”, extends through the entire length of the flat leading from the kitchen to the bedroom and living area.
A balcony attached to the kitchen was turned into a conservatory. The studio added underfloor heating to ensure a comfortable temperature for the plants.
Paintings and sculptures are displayed throughout the apartmentTo accommodate the client’s art collection, the space includes a library and pedestals for displaying art pieces.
Artworks on display include sculptures by Ukrainian artist Dmytro Hrek, paintings by Kristina Otchych-Cherniak and a diptych by Rostyslav Zavhorodniy.
A pair of Cassina tilting back chairs are placed in the living roomThe studio, working with the owners, decided to keep the building’s classical elements, notably the decorative cornices.
Mid-century design pieces such as Cassina tilting back chairs, Louis Poulsen glass pendants and Snoopy table lamps from Flos were selected to “collectively evoke a nostalgic retro atmosphere.”
The living room includes a small library areaModektura completed the project during the ongoing war in Ukraine. The team described having to deal with unforeseen circumstances due to the wartime context.
The reduced number of workers necessitated more extensive supervision and power supply issues and obstacles related to the conflict “significantly complicated the project implementation process,” the studio told Dezeen.
Other projects in Kyiv recently featured on Dezeen include a fitness studio lined with curtains, a laser clinic with futuristic interiors and a holistic healing centre by Ukranian designer Olga Fradina.
The photography is by Yevhenii Avramenko.
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Local architecture practice Dubrovska Studio has created a fitness studio lined with curtains and outfitted with custom furniture made from materials sourced from around Kyiv in the face of wartime shortages.
Located in Kyiv, Stan will host barre and yoga classes for up to 15 people in its main space and includes a reception area and locker area across 1,290 square feet (120 square metres).
Dubrovska Studio has created a barre and yoga studio in Kyiv”In our situation, when we initiated the project, there was virtually nothing available. We literally pieced the project together from leftovers we found around Kyiv,” said Dubrovska Studio founder Natalie Dubrovska.
Visitors first walk into a curtain-lined reception and welcome area, which contains a custom, semi-circle sofa, reception desk and “little tables” made of stone.
The studio is lined with curtains to soften the spaceThe curtains lining the space follow a curved track at the corners in order to soften the space and “smooth” out the interior.
Many furniture pieces were custom-made from locally sourced or reused materials, which the studio says was a “primary concept” for the studio’s design – in part due to difficulties faced when ordering abroad during the ongoing Ukraine war.
Furniture was made from locally sourced or reused materialsThe tables were crafted from scraps found at a warehouse, while the sofa was upholstered in a neutral, multicoloured fabric from the 1970s.
“The quest for the right fabric turned into a humorous journey, with many Gobelins featuring unappealing cat face illusions,” said Dubrovska. “Almost giving up, we lucked out, discovering a fabric from the 1970s that closely mirrored our initial design.”
The curtains follow a curved trackA reception desk sits to one corner, and was made from cast concrete. Rough edges line the top to contrast with the softness of the surrounding curtains, while its smooth base runs into the concrete floor.
A standing mirror sits across from the desk, mounted into a stone to create “magic and special charm” and next to it, a sink and countertop are concealed behind a curtain.
White drapes and mirrors line the studioThe same white drapes cover large windows along the studio, which sits in front of the welcome area. Ballet barres and mirrors also line the space.
A locker and changing room sits to the other side of the welcome area, with wooden storage created by Dubrovska Studio “in the absence of a minimalistic and soft solution” in contrast to standard metal lockers.
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A bench made of the same light-coloured wood sits in the centre of the space, while a line of showers was clad in small white mosaic tiles as a nod to public restrooms.
According to the studio, there were frequent electricity black outs during construction, but despite the challenges, Stan is a “sanctuary”.
Wooden lockers were created as a “soft solution” for storage”Stan encapsulates the spirit of feminine strength, elegance, and individuality, inviting to embark on a transformative journey within its carefully curated space,” said the studio. “It is not just a studio; it is a sanctuary for self-expression and holistic well-being.”
Stan studio was founded by professional dancer Mariia Dreihaupt. The word “stan” is the Latin translation of the Ukrainian word “ctah”, meaning “physical posture”.
Small, white mosaic tiles line a shower area as a nod to public restroomsDubrovska Studio is based in Kyiv and was founded in 2018 by designer Natalie Dubrovska. It focuses on bringing “calmness, harmony and self-connection” to projects.
Another project recently completed in Ukraine includes a holiday cabin in the Carpathian mountains. Recently architecture and design studios shared how they are coping at the two-year mark of Russia’s invasion.
The photography is by Yevhenii Avramenko.
Project credits:
Team: Natalie Dubrovska, Katerina Bandura, Daria Shmyrko
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