type: reconstruction
location: Mykolaiv, Ukraine
status: concept (2022)
team: Oleg Volosovskiy, Roman Harbuzyuk

The building of the Mykolaiv regional state administration, as a result of the destruction, was divided into two parts. The entrance group, which was an accent and harmoniously held the side planes of the facade, was destroyed. Based on this, we worked with existing forms: the two surviving parts of the building.

Our main idea is the preservation of the surviving walls and the return of life to them with a new architectural insert that unites the two parts of the building, metaphorically – again uniting all Ukrainians to rebuild after the war. The project gains strength precisely in combining old forms with new ones so that residents and guests of the city can see the combination of the state of Ukrainian architecture – before and after the war.

We have developed three conceptual options for the restoration of the Mykolaiv Regional State Administration:

Option 1. “Sails.”

Mykolaiv, from its foundation, was a city of sailors; therefore, when developing options for the reconstruction of the RSA building, one of them is explicitly dedicated to the marine theme. The plastic-dynamic form grows in the ruined place, resembling a spinnaker, symbolizing a powerful movement into the future. Sails filled with wind, personifying dynamics, push into a new life full of faith and hope.

This is precisely what the classic administrative building, built in the 80s, lacks. Then the symbol of power was an imperial, impregnable fortress with a metrically vertical facade composition, demonstrating inflexibility. Solid glazing of the “sail” allows you to open outward all the processes inside to attract others to the methods inside. An open frame gives confidence in the strength of the design of an imaginary sail.

In addition to returning the building to working condition, our goal is to modernize it functionally, fill the new spaces with light, and saturate the formed lobbies with functions and halls with seating areas that will cut a long corridor with offices on both sides. It can also accommodate visitors’ meeting rooms, conferences, and waiting areas.

Option 2. “Shield.”

The standing part of the walls is the body. The new part of the facade is a shield protecting the affected area. This is an overlay on the front, protruding relative to the central plane of the act. It differs in color, material, and pattern of windows. Slightly raised above the main floors, it dominates the rhythmic alternation of windows and pilasters, drawing attention to the entrance to the building. This option does not change the functional composition of the premises.

Option 3. “Attraction.”

Monument to the rocket attack that took place on March 29, 2022. A reminder of the war unleashed in the 21st century, of losses, broken families, and mutilated lives. A symbolic reminder to future generations of these terrible times. The Regional State Administration building is like a phoenix that has risen from the ruins, retaining the old scars but becoming even more beautiful and powerful.

The main structures of the building are strengthened, and functional connections are restored by floating galleries connecting the two parts of the building. The accent is a spatial structure based on the Cossack tent, which can accommodate space for conferences.

Sub-option 3.1.

In the space between the two parts of the RSA building, there is a ball inside, and there may be a museum covering the events of the war that is currently taking place in Ukraine.