Wall panels turning into tables, meeting rooms unfolding to accommodate the need for art exhibitions, a large empty space that fills with the laughter of people with just a few partitions and lightweight furniture, the design for the Ukrainian-Danish Youth House in Kyiv underscores the principle of adaptability in design through its resourceful layout and ingenious strategies. Ukraine-based Prototype Architecture conceived of the space for an NGO in Ukraine that aims to create a platform to strengthen youth participation in the area through dialogue and capacity building. The building, originally constructed in the 19th century consists of four floors with the basement, ground and first floor used as public spaces for events, workspaces, and workshops, and the upper floor for staff offices. Each layout of the public building is designed to be adaptable through specific interventions, reflecting the dynamism of the operational team behind the Youth House and its diverse roster of events.

As the designers elaborate, “From the very beginning, we decided to go with a simple, clean, and flexible space that they could use and reconfigure according to [the] actual needs [of the programme]. This worked out well since a short while after the opening, all the white walls had their art and all the events were happening within the different space configurations.” The design is focused on fostering a sense of collaboration and inclusivity among the local community by creating a safe space where the youth are free to express themselves through various initiatives, whilst still creating a dialogue between youth and the authorities, businesses, and other organisations.

Often, interior design projects use the given layout of a room or its function to delineate the different strategies and components that will make up the space. This can limit the need for flexibility that a space with multiple intended uses may require. Such a need for adaptable layouts is especially relevant in an urban context where space is limited. Instead, by allowing for multiple uses and the needs of the users, the design can also attest to the durability of a space since it can easily be adapted for future use.

Hence, by adopting a refreshing new approach to the renovation of the building, the main task was to regenerate the more than 200-year old building. This involved undoing a previous retrofit effortwhichhad created several small rooms divided by drywall partitions and low false ceilings unsuited for the new purposes of the community centre. The architects go on to detail the strategies they employed, focused on sustainable design principles and flexibility.

On the lower level, a kitchen area was designed while sliding partitions in the dining space ensured that the room could accommodate large dining set-ups, food preparation workshops or a normal day’s capacity for dining. This level also incorporates two small workshops and a podcast room.The ground floor, which opens out onto the street was where the main event space was planned owing to its easy accessibility, with a library corner adding to the amenities on offer. A sliding curtain system helps to separate the perimeter of the event space from other activities on the floor, ensuring a sense of intimacy for certain gatherings. The reception table is hidden in a wall panel as a space-saving measure.

A limited budget for the project not only meant using the available space to its maximum potential but reconfiguring elements within the original structure. As the designers mention further, “Shortly after inspecting the building before the start of the project, we decided to incorporate elements from the existing state into the future space, therefore in a way continuing the life of the space.” Adopting a circular design approach, they incorporated refuse materials from the demolition of the building’s previous interior structure for the furniture designs and fixtures. Most of the furniture and interiors are rendered in a minimal colour palette, with mint greens, whites and a wooden finish giving the space a contemporary nuance.

On the first floor, two meeting rooms provide a more intimate space for gathering but are separated by a glass wall to ensure a sense of transparency. A rotating panel, along with separated panels and moving tables gives the rest of the floor space a variable layout easily adjustable for any specific event, such as a workshop, lecture, or art exhibition. The topmost floor is delineated as the staff office with only minor alterations done to its layout.

As the designers elaborate, aluminium profiles from the demolished glass partitions were used to create light profiles. Drywall sections were used to create structures for chairs, and then covered with polyethylene foam and polyurea. Similarly, broken tiles were mixed with concrete to mould into the designs for the meeting room tables. The idea was to be as efficient as possible, not just with space but with material as well. The team tested a number of full scale prototypes for the final product.

Flexible in use and a base for the “co-creative, democratic activism and youth-to-youth cooperation” of the youth centre, the design for the Ukrainian-Danish Youth House exemplifies how designers can work with available constraints while ensuring that they meet the needs of users. The relevance of spaces that encourage creativity, collaboration, and an exchange of ideas, culture and knowledge cannot be overstated, especially in times of conflict. The simple yet ingenious gestures by Prototype Architecture for the Youth House are a testament to the power of design to create such a space.

Project Details

Name: Ukrainian-Danish Youth House
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Built Area: 575 sqm
Design team: Ivan Protasov, Pylyp Chaikovsky-Vamush, Anton Kuzmin, Uliana Dzhurliak, Mykyta Bondariev
General Contractor: MEYT