DESIGN FOR PEACE

V.N. KARAZIN WORKSHOP

V.N. KARAZIN ECONOMICS FACULTY

Location: Kharkiv, Ukraine

Client: Design for Peace

Program and Typology: Economics National University

Status: Concept design

Workshop period: December 2022 - March 2023

Design: ABCPLUS

Team:
Chiara Prando (in charge), Anastaiia Streelets Zamryha (ukrainian architect), Filippo Andreoli, Elena Ferrini, Mattia Pigozzo, Giulia Zanardi

Maquette & Photos: Filippo Andreoli

V.N. KARAZIN ECONOMICS FACULTY

Location: Kharkiv, Ukraine

Client: Design for Peace

Program and Typology: Economics National University

Status: Concept design

Design: ABCPLUS

Team: Chiara Prando (in charge), Anastaiia Streelets Zamryha (ukrainian architect), Filippo Andreoli, Elena Ferrini, Mattia Pigozzo, Giulia Zanardi

Maquette & Photos:
Filippo Andreoli

Images: Diorama.eu

The Creative Economics Platform.

The city of the future has distinct differences from the considerations of the past. A city that encourages and inspires the imagination goes well beyond the urban engineering and the architecture of its iconic buildings. The ideal scenario offers social and urban settings that afford people the opportunity to meet to exchange ideas and gather throughout the city. In European cities as in most urban contexts, the street represents the network, the border between the collective space, public life and the private sphere. The building facade therefore represents a border that separates public existence and private life. In accord with this interpretation, the facade is an integral part of urban architecture, it's dialogue with its surrounding speaks volumes that define the urban esthetic that exists. When redesigning a building with a significant heritage, one should therefore avoid pursuing transgression and seek variations of the original theme, following unwritten but impressed rules of the site DNA. By this thinking, the design proposal maintains the existing facades of the street, reconstructing if necessary and guarantees continuity and harmony with the surrounding environment, returning it's historical identity. The concept is a strong re-interpretation of the original, using the building as a example, the New Karazin School of Economics is conceived as an urban focal point, attracting students, researchers and the diverse population of Kharkiv.
The building itself, offers educational programs as well as cultural events in the public excess areas. The massive structure seems to defy gravity with a design that incorporates vantage points that seem separate from its grounding, drawing the visitors inside. The design concept introduce components that separate and eliminate the base and parts of the building no longer necessary. This opens up a completely new perspective in relation to its surroundings. The removal of the base of the building creates a covered plaza which hosts public services like the main foyer, a library, study and reading corners, cafè and a small restaurant. The auditorium and its garden are situated on the top floor. The stairs in front play an active role as an entrance and direct connection for public access. The park and semi-private garden courtyard, allow the use of all main services of the ground level when the education area of the building are closed. The design of the floors above the main level are achieved using a new layout with added storeys in the external structure, to ensure functional, clean and flexible internal spaces. Additional classrooms with varied dimension and movable partitions, administrative offices, research classrooms, meeting, study rooms, leisure areas and a professors area are planned. The rooftop of the building is another highlight of the reconstruction, doubling as a meeting place for leisure and enhancing community and social relations. The new Kharkiv National University of Economics, named after V.N. Karazin, is designed as a local and international center, focused on innovative education and research, while playing an active and strategic role for new city planning. Given the chance, ordinary people make the extraordinary happen, the new Economics Faculty, will be that interactive platform to re-shape the future of the nation and strengthen the relations with the entire world.