Regaining a sense of belonging
Ukrainian Timber Pavilion
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Ukrainian Timber Pavilion is a project for a traveling pavilion that follows two main aims: the first is to create a new type of community space that will serve for the interaction between local communities and displaced Ukrainian people around Europe, and the second aim is conveyed on the cultural level — pavilion strives to draw attention to the culture of wooden construction in Ukraine, to make it visible to the world and also introduces Ukrainian craftsmanship.
Germany
Regional
Ukrainian Carpathians
It addresses urban-rural linkages
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
Early concept
No
No
As an individual
Ukraine has a long history and tradition of building with timber. Especially in the western regions, such as the Carpathian mountains, with more wooded areas, there are many prominent monuments of wooden architecture, which embody the profound knowledge and skills of ancient masters. Unfortunately, in the modern period, the development of wooden construction and engineering timber in Ukraine lags far behind the world’s leading countries. Moreover, old wooden monuments, which are undoubtedly of great cultural value, are often in disrepair. A first measure could be to raise the awareness of the value of such culture. That is why this topic needs an immediate increase in public attention. The main idea of the project is to tell about the culture of wooden construction in Ukraine, to make it visible to Europe and the world, as well as to Ukrainians themselves. Ukrainian Timber Pavilion is a small traveling pavilion with a photo exhibition inside, complemented by a spatial experience. The pavilion travels between European cities and is open to different age- and social groups. The core of the program is a photo-slideshow exhibition presenting various examples of wooden temples from different regions of Ukrainian Carpathians, including contemporary and archival photos. The pavilion can also be transformed into a space for a public event/lecture. It is also planned to produce a printed/digital catalog with expanded information and a guidebook with routes to the Temples in the Carpathians. In the European context, this project draws attention to the topic, arouses interest, tells about the uniqueness of the Ukrainian Carpathian wooden construction culture, and shows that the cultural heritage of Ukraine is also the cultural heritage of Europe. On the other hand, it also aims to involve Ukrainians living in Europe, including them in the process of constructing the pavilion, and encourages them to discover and appreciate their own culture in a new way.
Ukrainian Carpathians
Heritage
Protection
Wooden construction (Holzbau)
Experience
Sustainable development is impossible without a solid foundation of the right principles and values. These, in turn, are formed over the years through generations, as well as through the transfer of knowledge and the ability to learn from the past. Ukraine has a lot of room for improvement in this regard. The project raises important issues of stagnation and lack of sufficient care for architectural monuments, both for Ukraine and the world. At the same time, the format of information transfer (pavilion + photo exhibition) remains accessible and understandable even for the ordinary mass audience. Another facet of sustainability is a focus on local knowledge and techniques specific to a particular region and support for their further development. For example, we plan to use traditional Ukrainian shingles in the roof structure to support Ukrainian craftsmen. Another facet of sustainability is the principle of circularity. After the pavilion's lifespan (estimated at about 5 years), the wood in the structures will still be in good condition and will be reused for the production of furniture/small accessories that will be sold for charity. In terms of circularity and addressing local unique techniques of working with bio-based materials, the project can be a model for further similar projects.
The project focuses on first-hand spatial experience, which is why the medium of the pavilion was chosen. The new goal is to offer a multifaceted spatial experience for visitors despite its small scale. On the one hand, the wide wooden roof serves as an umbrella and the space under it is light and airy. On the other hand, inside, in the slideshow area, a small enclosed dark space is formed, a room that in its qualities refers to the dark and powerful interiors of traditional wooden temples. The use of large embroidered woollen carpets instead of walls also adds to the artistic image and creates an interesting experience. In general, such carpets (lizhnyk - ukrainian) are very popular in the Carpathians as an additional layer of insulation and at the same time an element of interior decoration. In our case, the carpets are used as vertical partitions - space dividers, due to their high density and good thermal insulation qualities, instead of conventional walls. If necessary, the carpets can also be removed, turning the space into one large room, for example, for a lecture. In this way, several mediums - carpentry, carpet weaving, photography - work synergistically to create a holistic experience for the user, while reinterpreting traditional techniques in a new, modern way.
The main goal in terms of inclusiveness is to provide universal access for different social and age groups, and to create a cost-free exhibition that will be of interest to a completely diverse audience, E.g. both in the big city of Berlin and in a small village in Mosel. The design also embodies the character of inclusiveness - the big roof is a universal symbol that invites and gathers people. Technically, barrier-free accessibility is ensured by the absence of thresholds (due to the absence of an additional floor in the pavilion) and the consideration of the parameters of people in wheelchairs. People with visual impairments will also be able to connect to an audio guide adapted for the exhibition.
The adaptive design allows for various use scenarios depending on different needs (based on a photo exhibition, but can be adapted for different purposes). The simple and lightweight design, all parts of the pavilion can be transported by a single 12 tonne truck and can be assembled quickly by any team of workers in any country. Due to the use of simple bolted connections, the structure can be assembled and disassembled multiple times.
The adaptive design allows for various use scenarios depending on different needs (based on a photo exhibition, but can be adapted for different purposes). The simple and lightweight design, all parts of the pavilion can be transported by a single 12 tonne truck and can be assembled quickly by any team of workers in any country. Due to the use of simple bolted connections, the structure can be assembled and disassembled multiple times.
The project participants are involved at different levels:
Firstly, as part of the construction of the pavilion, a public workshop with ukrainian shingles is planned for everyone of interest. This will allow people to participate directly in the construction process, touch the traditional craft of shingle making, and try it themselves. One of the important ideas of the project is also to create a sense of community by involving people in the construction of the pavilion - this is intended to stimulate personal contacts between people and create a certain connection with the structure of the pavilion. Secondly, European society will gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of Ukrainian culture and traditions through this exhibition. Thirdly, Ukrainian society will have the opportunity to look at its existing heritage in a new light, increasing its understanding of its value, thanks to an already implemented case abroad. In the future, local communities in the region will benefit from cultural tourism.
At the local level, it is planned to involve local shingle makers and invite them to hold a short public workshop during the construction of the pavilion. It is also planned to involve a unique local brand "Basny-Rugs" which specialises in the production of wool carpets in Ukrainian carpathian region, using traditional techniques in a modern way. Eight specially designed carpets will be made in collaboration with a brand, which will be then exhibited in the pavilion. At the regional and national levels, various scientific and cultural institutions (e.g. Kharkiv School of Architecture) and Ukrainian experts in wooden construction and heritage (e.g. Andriy Kutnyi, professor at TU Munich) will be involved in the joint development of a catalogue guide to accompany the pavilion. At the national level, advertising of the country, its culture and traditions is also being created.
At the European level, cultural and social institutions, communities (in German - Vereine) will be involved to host the pavilion and provide information and organisational support. For their part, they will receive an interesting, ready-to-use, easy-to-manage project that is curated by a separate group of people (the pavilion team) and, as a result, an influx of new visitors and attention to their venue.
The problem is that people and authorities in small towns in Ukraine do not understand the value of the monuments that are located in their communities. Involvement of actors at the European level will help to create a real case in Europe that will attract attention and create additional value for people in Ukraine as well. As the saying goes, to see something in front of you, it is best to look at it from afar.
The problem is that people and authorities in small towns in Ukraine do not understand the value of the monuments that are located in their communities. Involvement of actors at the European level will help to create a real case in Europe that will attract attention and create additional value for people in Ukraine as well. As the saying goes, to see something in front of you, it is best to look at it from afar.
The project combines several main media - architecture, photography and traditional applied arts, such as carpet weaving. The pavilion will also involve representatives of cultural institutions from Europe. Scholars and heritage specialists will also be involved to work on the catalogue / guide, wich will be issued together with pavilion opening. The main value of the interaction lies in the exchange between the different participants. The Europeans gain a deeper understanding of Ukrainian culture, and Ukrainians have the opportunity to learn from the Europeans, for example, the rules of monument preservation. In addition to the photo exhibition, a series of lectures and discussions are also planned to accelerate this knowledge exchange. The added value of the pavilion is that it is the first independent project in Europe dedicated to the topic of Ukrainian wooden construction. For the woodworking and engineering timber industry in Ukraine, the project is also interesting because it encourages new connections and networking between local craftsmen in Ukraine and their European counterparts through the organisation of a workshop(s).
The innovation lies in the reinterpretation of traditional techniques and materials in a modern context. For example, traditionally, shingles are mounted on top of the roof piece-by-piece, which makes quick dismantling and multiple-time assembly impossible. In the pavilion, the roof is made of modular panels, and the shingles are attached directly to these panels, which allows for quick assembly and disassembly of the roof without the need to dismantle individual shingles. Moreover, such panels are planned to be manufactured as part of an open public workshop, where everyone will be given the opportunity to take part in the process of mounting shingles on the panels under the supervision of a master craftsman.
Large thick carpets made of natural sheep's wool were used instead of walls, which in turn is great for wind protection and also allows for more flexible use of the pavilion, as the carpets can be easily removed when it is necessary to combine the interior space for one large event. All connections of the beams are made with bolts, without the use of glue, nails or screws, to ensure easy assembly and disassembly of the pavilion.
The approach is to use the simplest means, materials and design principles to create a space with characteristic unique qualities. The use of local regional materials, such as shingles, on a universal geometric form creates a combination of traditional and modern. A simple carousel slide projector, wich is used for the photo-slideshow, creates an interesting and unexpected atmosphere in the central, enclosed space of the pavilion. Large embroidered silhouettes of temples on the carpets emphasise the theme of the exhibition. The black-and-white photographs have a uniformity on the one hand, and are perfect for demonstrating the diversity of the wooden building culture in the Ukrainian Carpathians on the other.
Methodology and processes
The pavilion in combination with the photo exhibition is a convenient, understandable, and attractive medium (spatial experience enhanced by photos) that can be used in another culture and for another topic. The travelling structure, due to its simplicity, fits into different contexts, urban/rural environments and attracts people from different groups. Circular design principle: no waste, parts of the pavilion walls are turned into another product; can also be used on another project. It is planned that the pavilion will travel to different cities and participate in various exhibitions and events, which is also an aspect of transferability.
The project responds to the following global challenges:
- globalisation and homogenisation of the environment, the decline of local techniques and local craft. The extinction of generations of traditional craftsmen.
- Focus on specific techniques and their application in the modern world (production of larch shingles in Ukraine, wooden construction)
- the importance of preserving local heritage to maintain the diversity of history and culture - the importance of rethinking and developing, learning from the past
- globalisation and homogenisation of the environment, the decline of local techniques and local craft. The extinction of generations of traditional craftsmen.
- Focus on specific techniques and their application in the modern world (production of larch shingles in Ukraine, wooden construction)
- the importance of preserving local heritage to maintain the diversity of history and culture - the importance of rethinking and developing, learning from the past
The first step is to finalise the schematic design of the pavilion, including the basic structural principles for the foundation, roof, supports, etc. In this regard, we also plan to consult a static engineer. The next step after completion of the schematic design is to prepare an approximate cost estimation for the project together with Ukrainian and German companies. Once the cost estimation is understood, an intensive search for ways and models to finance the project (summer 2025) will be conducted, including contacts with various institutions in Ukraine and Europe. A sponsorship model of financing (through patrons/firms) is also possible. One of the main steps by the end of summer 2025 will be to formulate a project funding strategy with a list of stakeholders.
At the same time, we will also be working on attracting potential collaborators and developing a programme for the pavilion. It is planned to work closely with a Ukrainian photographer (for example, Vladyslav Andrievsky) and organise a small expedition (autumn 2025) to the Carpathians to photograph churches/temples. In the summer of 2025, it is also planned to start working on a catalogue-guide to issue it with the opening of the pavilion. After raising the first funding (scheduled for early autumn 2025), detailed project documentation for the pavilion and the necessary static calculations will be developed in order to obtain a building permit. The permit is expected to be obtained by the end of 2025. In parallel, in the autumn, we will develop the identity for the project, such as a logo and presentation webpage, as well as a social media account, to prepare the project for launch. The first location of the pavilion should also be decided by the end of 2025. The first quarter of 2026 will see the purchase of materials and preparatory work. An open workshop on shingling and assembling the pavilion is planned for April-May 2026. The pavilion will open for a public in May-June 2026.
