Preserving the Capital's Architectural Legacy: A City Rebuilding Its Foundations in the Shadow of War.

Lesia Danylenko proudly presented her recently completed front door. Local helpers had playfully nicknamed its ornate transom window the “croissant”, a lighthearted tribute to its bowed shape. “I think it’s more of a peacock,” she remarked, appreciating its twig-detailed features. The refurbishment initiative at one of Kyiv’s early 20th-century art nouveau houses was made possible by residents, who commemorated the work with a couple of neighbourhood pavement parties.

It was also an demonstration of resistance towards a neighboring state, she elaborated: “We are trying to live like normal people despite the war. It’s about organizing our life in the most positive way. We have no fear of remaining in our homeland. The possibility to emigrate existed, starting anew to another European nation. Conversely, I’m here. The new entrance represents our allegiance to our homeland.”

“Our aim is to live like normal people regardless of the war. It’s about arranging our life in the best possible way.”

Protecting Kyiv’s historic buildings seems paradoxical at a period when missile strikes frequently hit the capital, causing death and destruction. Since the beginning of the current year, offensive operations have been dramatically stepped up. After each attack, workers board up blown-out windows with plywood and endeavor, where possible, to salvage residential buildings.

Among the Conflict, a Campaign for History

In the midst of war, a group of activists has been working to conserve the city’s deteriorating mansions, built in a whimsical style known as Ukrainian modernism. Danylenko’s house is in the downtown Shevchenkivskyi district. It was built in 1906 and was first the home of a affluent fur dealer. Its outer walls is adorned with horse chestnut leaves and intricate camomile flowers.

“These buildings represent symbols of Kyiv. These properties are quite rare nowadays,” Danylenko noted. The mansion was designed by a designer of Central European origin. Several other buildings in the vicinity display analogous art nouveau characteristics, including asymmetry – with a pointed turret on one side and a projection on the other. One much-loved house in the area displays two forlorn white stucco cats, as well as owls, masks and a demonic figure.

Several Dangers to History

But external attacks is only one threat. Preservation campaigners say they face unscrupulous developers who demolish protected buildings, dishonest officials and a political leadership indifferent or resistant to the city’s vast architectural history. The harsh winter climate adds another challenge.

“Kyiv is a city where wealth dictates. We are missing substantive 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 bulldoze important houses. Perov further alleged that the plan for the capital is reminiscent of a bygone era. The mayor denies these claims, saying they originate from political rivals.

Perov said many of the public-spirited activists who once defended older properties were now fighting on the frontline or had been killed. The lengthy conflict meant that all citizens was facing economic hardship, he added, including judicial figures who mysteriously ruled in favour of questionable new-build schemes. “The longer this goes on the more we see degradation of our society and state bodies,” he remarked.

Loss and Neglect

One egregious example of destruction is in the historic Podil neighbourhood. The street was the site of classical 19th-century houses. A developer who purchased the plot had pledged to preserve its attractive brick facade. Shortly following the full-scale invasion, diggers razed it to the ground. Recently, a crane dug foundations for a new commercial complex, watched by a stern security guard.

Anatolii Pohorily, a heritage supporter, said there was little optimism for the remaining coloured houses on the site. Sometimes developers destroyed old properties while stating they were doing “historical excavation”, he said. A 20th-century empire also caused immense damage on the capital, reconstructing its primary street after the second world war so it could facilitate large-scale parades.

Upholding the Legacy

One of Kyiv’s most renowned defenders of historic buildings, a tour guide and blogger, was killed in 2022 while engaged in the frontline. His colleague Nelli Chudna said she and other volunteers were carrying on his crucial preservation work. There were at one time 3,500 brick-built mansions in Kyiv, many built for the city’s successful business magnates. Only 80 of their original doors survived, she said.

“It was not foreign rockets that eliminated them. It was us,” she admitted sadly. “The war could go on for another 20 years. If we fail to protect architecture now not a thing will be left,” she continued. Chudna recently helped to restore a characterful vine-clad house built in 1910, which acts as the headquarters of her cultural organization and doubles as a film set and museum. The property has a new crimson entrance and authentic railings; inside is a vintage sanitary facility and antique mirrors.

“The war could continue for another 20 years. If we fail to protect architecture now nothing will be left.”

The building’s tenant, artist Yurii Pikul, described his home as “very cool and a little bit cold”. Why do many citizens not value the past? “Unfortunately they do not have education and taste. It’s all about business. We are attempting as a country to integrate with the west. But we are still some distance away from that standard,” he said. Previous ways of thinking persisted, with people unwilling to take personal responsibility for their architectural setting, he added.

Resilience in Restoration

Some buildings are falling apart because of bureaucratic indifference. Chudna indicated a once-magical villa tucked away behind a modern hospital. Its roof had caved in; pigeons roosted among its broken windows; debris lay under a whimsical tower. “Frequently we are unsuccessful,” she admitted. “Restoration is a form of healing for us. We are attempting to save all this heritage and splendour.”

In the face of conflict and commercial interests, these activists continue their work, one facade at a time, arguing that to preserve a city’s soul, you must first protect its history.