Allen Efimtchouk

UKRAINE IN THE 21st CENTURY

Project by: Allen Efimtchouk Advisor: Don Jones

City of Kyiv

is the capital of Ukraine, split into two by the Dnipro river. The Left Bank developed to become primarily residential, while the Right Bank serves as the city center.

is located in Mariyinsky Park, at the heart of the city center. The park houses the current parliament building and the Mariyinsky Palace, the ceremonial residence of the president

sits at the edge of the park,

City of Kyiv

overlooking the Left Bank across the Dnipro river. The site has an urban edge, through the Mariyinsky Park

Precedents Under a progressive president a new building was commissioned in 2012, where the parliament functions would take place. Became occupiable in 2018, but not for long. In 2019, after the election of a more traditional president, all functions moved back to the original structure. That president was later revealed to have been highly engaged with Russian politicians and was working to undermine Georgia’s democracy and independence.

was one of the first countries to leave the USSR and had succumbed to many pro-USSR rioters trying to deface their architecture. In order to preserve the parliament building barricades were put up over the large windows. After the building’s renovation the barricades remained as an architectural element and a symbol of strength.

has several issues which started arising as Ukraine been progressing as an independent society. The building’s interior allocates too much area for circulation, all while not creating enough space for the workers who occupy it.

Most office space is present at the back of the building, within the addition which was added during the building reconstruction in 1947.

While having a lot of open space which is often used for display purposes, it is not well maintained. The exhibitions seem very out of place within the building's architecture, appearing neglected and unplanned.

Process

Program Allocation Diagram

First Iteration

has many elements which were carried through to my final design.

The circular plan was chosen to provide every program element an equal standing surrounding the three-story central Atrium.

The public Event Hall has been placed on the top story, overlooking the Dnipro river, taking advantage of the high elevation.

This was the beginning of my exploration of traditional symbolic elements within the project, here being studies as the tool for allocation of site components

Process Model Section

Process Model Bird-Eye View

January 16th, 2021

East Elevation

South Elevation

March 15th, 2021

Stair/Structural Core

Exploded Axonometric

First Floor

Second Floor

Third Floor

high ceiling allows for the hot air to rise above the rest of the structure and escape the building.

The two sets of operable curtain wall windows in the Parliament Chamber and the Event Hall circulate the air independently within those spaces.

The interior cooling tower, located on the eastern side of the structure provides climate control throughout the building from HVAC equipment in

First Floor HVAC diagram

Second Floor HVAC diagram

the basement.

Passive Cooling Diagram

Third Floor HVAC diagram

May 22nd, 2021

revolve around the central public Atrium space, with all other program pushed towards the exterior.

Around the Atrium wraps the Grand Stair, which takes the public all the way to the Third Floor, eventually leading to the large Event Hall.

The architecture of the Event Hall mirrors the Parliament Chamber, creating an equal balance between the two.

First Floor

Second Floor

Second Floor

Section Perspective

Trees, Patterns, and Materials

Chestnut – Symbol of Kyiv Column Detail

represents

Oak – Symbol of Strength and Wisdom

Tree-Like Structure

trees, which have long held symbolic meaning within Ukrainian culture.

Utilizing the symbolic meanings of oak structure exhibits strength, being the central structural core, and wisdom, being a place of governance.

National Attire

Site Landscape Design and Water Runoff

presents itself in the overall design of the surrounding site and the ornamentation of the Atrium space. The traditional colors are featured within the heart of the building, dressing it from within with the patterns of the national attire.

Utilizing the cast pattern, derived from an antique woven tapestry, the decorative nature of the traditional Ukrainian hut is represented in the concrete panel on the façade.

Wooden exterior use in a typical village was only reserved for the structures of upmost Pysanka (Painted Easter Egg)

importance. Therefore, most prominent spaces within the building are paneled with wood.

Ukrainian Hut Exterior

Ukrainian Hut Interior

Vernacular Wooden Churches

Concrete Paneling

Wood Paneling

Office Corridor

Parliament Chamber

Parliament Chamber

Parliament Chamber

Atrium – First Floor

Atrium – Third Floor

Under Don Jones’s guidance and throughout the development of this project I have learned how to relevantly take and respond to criticism through my design. This resulted in me receiving only a few negative comments by the end of this project, as most areas of concern have already been addressed.

The additional feedback presented by the jurors was regarding window openings, as they could be developed further from their rudimentary form.

The overall positive commentary centered around a successful execution of symbolism and ornamentation throughout the design, the prominent Parliament-Event Hall relationship, and the general monumentality of the structure.

Entrance View

On the technical side, beginning the process with zero Revit knowledge, I have now gained enough expertise within the program by using it as the main tool to exhibit and experience my design. And spiritually, I have revitalized my knowledge, love, and appreciation of the Ukrainian Culture.