Preserving Kyiv's Architectural Legacy: An Urban Center Rebuilding Itself in the Shadow of Conflict.

Lesia Danylenko beamed with pride as she displayed her newly installed front door. Local helpers had playfully nicknamed its graceful transom window the “croissant”, a playful reference to its arched shape. “Personally, I believe it’s more of a peacock,” she commented, admiring its branch-like features. The refurbishment initiative at one of Kyiv’s turn-of-the-century art nouveau houses was made possible by residents, who commemorated the work with a couple of lively pavement parties.

It was also an expression of opposition towards a neighboring state, she elaborated: “Our aim is to live like ordinary people despite the war. It’s about arranging our life in the most positive way. Fear does not drive us of remaining in our country. The possibility to emigrate existed, moving away to Italy. On the contrary, I’m here. The new entrance shows our commitment to our homeland.”

“Our aim is to live like ordinary people regardless of the war. It’s about shaping our life in the most positive way.”

Protecting Kyiv’s historic buildings could be considered unusual at a moment when missile strikes routinely fall the capital, bringing death and destruction. Since the start of the current year, offensive operations have been notably increased. After each strike, workers cover shattered windows with plywood and try, where possible, to save residential buildings.

Amid the Conflict, a Battle for Beauty

In the midst of war, a band of activists has been attempting to preserve the city’s deteriorating mansions, built in a playful style known as Ukrainian modernism. Danylenko’s house is in the historic Shevchenkivskyi district. It was constructed in 1906 and was initially the home of a wealthy fur dealer. Its facade is adorned with horse chestnut leaves and fine camomile flowers.

“These buildings represent symbols of Kyiv. These properties are uncommon today,” Danylenko said. The building was designed by an architect of Central European origin. Several other buildings close by exhibit analogous art nouveau features, including an irregular shape – with a pointed turret on one side and a projection on the other. One popular house in the area boasts two forlorn white stucco cats, as well as owls, masks and a imp.

Several Dangers to Heritage

But external attacks is only one threat. Preservation campaigners say they face profit-driven developers who knock down protected buildings, corrupt officials and a administrative body unconcerned or resistant to the city’s vast architectural history. The severe winter climate adds another difficulty.

“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 flatten important houses. Perov further alleged that the vision for the capital comes straight out of a bygone era. The mayor rejects these claims, attributing them from political rivals.

Perov said many of the community-oriented activists who once protected older properties were now fighting on the frontline or had been fallen. The lengthy conflict meant that everyone 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 deterioration of our society and governing institutions,” he remarked.

Destruction and Neglect

One notorious location of loss is in the waterside Podil neighbourhood. The street was home to classical 19th-century houses. A developer who acquired the plot had pledged to preserve its attractive brick facade. In the immediate aftermath of the 2022 invasion, heavy machinery demolished it. Recently, a crane excavated foundations for a new retail and office development, monitored by a unfriendly security guard.

Anatolii Pohorily, a heritage supporter, said there was not much hope for the remaining blue-green houses on the site. Sometimes developers levelled old properties while claiming they were doing “scientific study”, he said. A 20th-century empire also wrought immense damage on the capital, redesigning its primary street after the second world war so it could facilitate large-scale parades.

Upholding the Legacy

One of Kyiv’s most prominent advocates of historic buildings, a tour guide and blogger, was killed in 2022 while serving in a eastern city. His colleague Nelli Chudna said she and other volunteers were persevering in his important preservation work. There were initially 3,500 masonry mansions in Kyiv, many erected for the city’s wealthy industrialists. Only 80 of their period doors are still in existence, she said.

“It wasn’t aerial bombardments that destroyed them. It was us,” she admitted sadly. “The war could go on for another 20 years. If we neglect architecture now not a thing will be left,” she continued. Chudna recently helped to restore a characterful ivy-draped house built in 1910, which functions as the headquarters of her cultural organization and also serves as a film set and museum. The property has a new crimson entrance and original-style railings; inside is a vintage sanitary facility and antique mirrors.

“The war could last another 20 years. If we neglect architecture now little will be left.”

The building’s tenant, artist Yurii Pikul, described his home as “quite special and a little bit cold”. Why do many citizens not cherish the past? “Sadly they are without education and taste. It’s all about business. We are trying as a country to move towards the west. But we are still not yet close from civilization,” he said. Outdated ways of thinking remained, with people reluctant to take personal responsibility for their urban environment, he added.

Resilience in Preservation

Some buildings are collapsing because of institutional abandonment. Chudna showed a once-magical villa concealed behind a modern hospital. Its roof had fallen; pigeons nested among its smashed windows; rubbish lay under a storybook tower. “Frequently we don’t win,” she acknowledged. “This activity is therapy for us. We are attempting to save all this heritage and beauty.”

In the face of conflict and neglect, these citizens continue their work, one facade at a time, stating that to rebuild a city’s soul, you must first save its history.