Honorable Mention in the Kharkiv Housing Challenge
Buildner has announced the results of the Kharkiv Housing Challenge, the first competition in a two-part series dedicated to Ukraine’s reconstruction. Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, has been deeply affected by the ongoing conflict, and this competition is part of a broader effort to rebuild its housing and public spaces.
Project Title: A Three-Step Approach to Kharkiv’s Challenges
Authors: MJZ, in collaboration with DiM84 and Buro Happold
In the reconstruction of Kharkiv, three key steps have been identified: restoring neighborhood networks to strengthen community and resilience; constructing underground shelters with dual functions and emergency exits to public areas to enhance safety; and modernizing buildings through prefabrication to improve living standards. Inspired by Kharkiv’s modernist legacy and the Warsaw model of post-war reconstruction, the project emphasizes the use of local materials salvaged from ruins and treats existing structures as adaptive assets. A network of drones monitors and guides reconstruction efforts in real time, while nearby warehouses and parking areas facilitate efficient sorting, recycling, and assembly of prefabricated materials, optimizing the city’s transformation.
