In March 2024 with the support of the Armed Conflicts and Im/mobility grant, two Ukrainian architects – Oleg Drozdov and Iryna Matsvenko – spoke at the Baumer Series, which invites prominent researchers and practitioners of architecture, landscape architecture, and city and regional planning to present their work and to engage subjects both topical and enduring. Drozdov, the president of the Kharkiv School of Architecture, and Matsvenko, the deputy vice-chancellor at the same school, spoke about contemporary issues of preserving and rebuilding architecture during (and post) the invasion of Ukraine as well as deciding the future of Soviet architectural heritage.

Discussion with Oleg Drozdov (right) and Iryna Matsevko (middle)

Below is a recap of the guests’ presentations.

Oleg Drozdov during his presentation “A Personalized History of Architectural Practice in Ukraine from Independence to Today”

Oleg Drozdov discussed the role of architects in Ukraine during the full-scale invasion and the architectural future of post-war Ukraine. He highlighted several collaborative initiatives aimed at forming a new architectural culture in the country. One such initiative is UREHERIT: Architects for the Heritage of Ukraine, which educates the public about architectural reconstruction through events, exhibitions, and media publications. Another organization is ROZKVIT: Urban Coalition for Ukraine, which has over 100 members experienced in Ukrainian architecture and post-war planning. The goals of these efforts are to develop plans for ethical, inclusive, and climate-resilient architecture for future generations.

Iryna Matsevko during her presentation “Difficult Heritage of Ukraine: Navigating the Complexity of Narratives, Practices, and Challenges of the War”

In her lecture, Matsevko discussed the complex history of architecture in Ukraine as a borderland and post-Soviet country. In recent years, particularly since the 2014 Revolution of Dignity, there has been an ongoing discussion about the sometimes uncomfortable Soviet past and its place in Ukraine’s future architectural vision. The question posed is whether, and if so, how Soviet architecture fits into Ukraine’s future. With over 300 sites damaged by the full-scale invasion, the decision of whether to rebuild Soviet-era buildings or replace them with national architecture is pressing.