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A canopy of Crushed Bricks and Concrete Integrates History and Public Space in Kharkiv

Authors:
Stanislav Shchetinin, Glib Khmelnytskyi, Dmytro Novikov
A canopy of Crushed Bricks and Concrete Integrates History and Public Space in Kharkiv

Project in-detail

Located at the heart of Kharkiv, Ukraine, the intervention addresses the evolving civic and social functions of a major public square. Through deliberate spatial and material strategies, the work reflects both contemporary urban needs and historical continuity.
5 key facts about this project
01
Canopy structure designed to resemble fabric stretched between supports.
02
Uses crushed bricks from destroyed buildings as a primary material.
03
Interactive fountain doubles as a winter Christmas tree base.
04
Barrier-free public entrance enhances accessibility for all users.
05
Monument location symbolizes Ukraine's journey toward independence.

Kharkiv's Freedom Square has been reimagined as a pedestrian-oriented public space prioritizing accessibility, civic engagement, and ecological awareness. The proposal reorganizes the square into functional zones dedicated to science, recreation, and events, encouraging year-round public use. The design responds to contemporary urban needs while preserving collective memory and embedding local identity into the spatial framework.

Civic Strategy and Symbolism
The intervention within the Regional Administration Building marks the site of a missile strike, transforming a point of destruction into a civic entry. This new, accessible entrance reflects transparency and promotes public interaction with institutional spaces. The monument situated on the former site of a Lenin statue acknowledges Ukraine’s political evolution. Visitors are invited to ascend the structure, which offers an elevated view of the square and functions as both a memorial and a platform for reflection.

Material Expression and Seasonal Use
Material selection plays a critical role in establishing character and continuity. Crushed brick from damaged buildings is integrated with standard and pigmented concrete, linking the design to historical events through construction methods. A tensile canopy—shaped like fabric suspended between anchors—provides shelter for gatherings and temporary markets. At the square’s center, a multipurpose element functions as a fountain during warmer months and supports the city’s main seasonal tree, reinforcing the square’s adaptability and community focus.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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Competition organisers

The MICROHOME 10 competition invites participants to submit visionary designs for off-grid, modular microhomes that push the limits of sustainable, small-scale living. Organised by Buildner in partnership with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this tenth edition sets the challenge of designing a dwelling for two people within a maximum floor area of 25 m², encouraging bold solutions adaptable to any urban or rural location. The competition continues Buildner’s mission to foster innovative approaches to compact, energy-efficient housing that can address pressing global challenges.

This year’s edition offers a generous total prize fund of €100,000, including the Kingspan Award for designs that integrate high-performance Kingspan products and the Hapi Homes Award for a project selected for real-world construction. In addition to cash prizes, the winners gain international exposure through Buildner’s media partnerships, publications, and a dedicated MICROHOME magazine, further amplifying their ideas to the wider architectural community.

Key dates for MICROHOME 10 include the closing date for registration on 25 September 2025, the submission deadline on 29 October 2025 (11:59 p.m. London time), and the announcement of winners on 9 December 2025. These milestones ensure participants have clear timelines to develop and present their concepts, with early registration discounts available to support students and emerging designers worldwide.

MICROHOME

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 25 September 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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