Safeguarding Kyiv's Architectural Legacy: A City Reconstructing Itself in the Shadow of Conflict.

Lesia Danylenko showed off with satisfaction her recently completed front door. Volunteers had playfully nicknamed its graceful transom window the “crescent roll”, a lighthearted tribute to its bowed shape. “In my opinion it’s more of a peacock,” she remarked, admiring its branch-like ornamentation. The restoration project at one of Kyiv’s early 20th-century art nouveau houses was supported by residents, who celebrated with several lively pavement parties.

It was also an expression of defiance towards an invading force, she clarified: “We strive to live like normal people regardless of the war. It’s about organizing our life in the most positive way. Fear does not drive us of staying in our country. I had the option to depart, starting anew to a foreign land. On the contrary, I’m here. The new entrance represents our commitment to our homeland.”

“We are trying to live like everyday people despite the war. It’s about arranging our life in the most positive way.”

Safeguarding Kyiv’s historic buildings seems paradoxical at a period when drone attacks frequently hit the capital, causing death and destruction. Since the onset of the current year, aerial raids have been notably increased. After each strike, workers board up broken windows with plywood and attempt, where possible, to secure residential buildings.

Within the Conflict, a Fight for Beauty

In the midst of war, a group of activists has been attempting to preserve the city’s crumbling mansions, built in a whimsical style known as Ukrainian modernism. Danylenko’s house is in the historic Shevchenkivskyi district. It was built in 1906 and was originally the home of a prosperous fur dealer. Its outer walls is decorated with horse chestnut leaves and fine camomile flowers.

“These buildings represent symbols of Kyiv. These properties are increasingly scarce nowadays,” Danylenko said. The building was designed by an architect of Central European origin. Several other buildings in the vicinity showcase analogous art nouveau characteristics, including a lack of symmetry – 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.

Several Dangers to Legacy

But armed conflict is only one threat. Preservation campaigners say they face unscrupulous developers who knock down historically significant buildings, corrupt officials and a governing class unconcerned or resistant to the city’s rich architectural history. The severe winter climate presents another burden.

“Kyiv is a city where wealth dictates. We are missing genuine political will to save our heritage,” said Dmytro Perov, an activist. He alleged the city’s mayor was allied with many of the developers who destroy important houses. Perov stated that the concept for the capital harks back to a previous decade. The mayor denies these claims, attributing them from political rivals.

Perov said many of the public-spirited activists who once championed older properties were now fighting on the frontline or had been fallen. The lengthy conflict meant that all citizens was facing monetary strain, he added, including those in the legal system who curiously ruled in favour of suspect new-build schemes. “The longer this continues the more we see degradation of our society and public institutions,” he remarked.

Demolition and Disregard

One egregious example of destruction is in the waterside Podil neighbourhood. The street was the site of classical 19th-century houses. A developer who purchased the plot had pledged to preserve its picturesque brick facade. Shortly following the onset of major hostilities, excavators demolished it. Recently, a crane excavated foundations for a new shopping and business centre, observed 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 levelled old properties while asserting they were doing “scientific study”, he said. A former political system also inflicted immense damage on the capital, reconstructing its primary street after the second world war so it could allow for large-scale parades.

Carrying the Torch

One of Kyiv’s most prominent champions of historic buildings, a cultural activist, was fell in 2022 while serving in a eastern city. His colleague Nelli Chudna said she and other volunteers were carrying on his important preservation work. There were at one time 3,500 masonry mansions in Kyiv, many erected for the city’s successful business magnates. Only 80 of their authentic doors are still in existence, she said.

“It wasn’t external attacks that eliminated them. It was us,” she admitted sadly. “The war could go on for another 20 years. If we fail to protect architecture now nothing will be left,” she added. Chudna recently helped to restore a full of character ivy-draped house built in 1910, which acts as the headquarters of her cultural organization and operates as a film set and museum. The property has a new vermilion portal and authentic railings; inside is a period bathroom and antique mirrors.

“The war could continue for another 20 years. If we don’t defend architecture now not a thing 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? “Regrettably they do not have education and taste. It’s all about business. We are striving as a country to go to the west. But we are still some distance away from that standard,” he said. Soviet-era ways of thinking lingered, with people reluctant to take personal responsibility for their urban environment, he added.

Hope in Restoration

Some buildings are falling apart because of official neglect. Chudna pointed to a once-magical villa tucked away behind a modern hospital. Its roof had fallen; pigeons nested among its smashed windows; debris lay under a storybook tower. “Often we don’t win,” she admitted. “Restoration is therapy for us. We are attempting to save all this heritage and aesthetic value.”

In the face of conflict and development pressures, these citizens continue their work, one facade at a time, arguing that to rebuild a city’s identity, you must first protect its history.