From War Memorials to London Soho—Five Ukrainian Projects Shine at Architecture MasterPrize 2026

The international Architecture MasterPrize has announced its 2026 winners, recognizing five Ukrainian projects for their innovative approaches to complex architectural spaces, cultural heritage preservation, and urban development.

Among the projects are a memorial dedicated to victims of a Russian missile strike in Dnipro, a proposed reconstruction of one of the city’s central streets, a modern interpretation of a traditional Ukrainian house, and commercial interiors developed by Ukrainian design teams in Kyiv and London.

One of the projects, Space of Absence, was developed by the architectural team of Dmytro Volyk and Kseniia Donetska in Dnipro and presented in the “Conceptual Architecture” category.

The memorial concept commemorates the 46 people killed when a Russian missile destroyed a nine-story section of a residential building in Dnipro on January 14, 2023. Rather than reconstructing the destroyed section, the architects proposed preserving the visible absence left by the attack, arguing that conventional reconstruction could erase the memory of the tragedy.

The design features a metal framework outlining the missing portion of the building without restoring its walls or floors. Inside the structure, 46 suspended illuminated glass spheres represent the victims.

The same architectural team also developed a proposal for the reconstruction of Gogol Street in central Dnipro, another project presented in the “Conceptual Architecture” category.

The concept transforms the street, known for its historic buildings and challenging terrain, into a multifunctional boulevard prioritizing pedestrians while accommodating transport and recreational activities.

Using the street’s three-meter elevation difference, the architects divided the space into three functional zones: a transport corridor, a recreational area, and a pedestrian section with bicycle paths.

The design incorporates landscaped terraces formed along a retaining wall resembling natural rock formations. A distinctive entrance to an underground parking facility emerges from the pavement as a sculptural element, while the parking spaces below are designed to double as bomb shelters, reflecting the security challenges facing Ukrainian cities during the war.

Another Ukrainian project, Hata-Mazanka, developed by Kyiv-based YOD Group, was presented in the “Small Architecture” category.

Located on a private estate in central Ukraine, the guest houses offer a contemporary interpretation of the traditional Ukrainian mazanka, a type of rural dwelling historically associated with whitewashed walls and natural building materials.

The architects replaced conventional solid walls with fully glazed facades, creating a visual connection between the interiors and the surrounding landscape. Large thatched roofs preserve a recognizable element of traditional Ukrainian architecture while giving the buildings a sculptural appearance.

Inside, the minimalist layouts are organized around concrete cores, with interiors featuring eco-minimalist furnishings created by Ukrainian designers.

Ukrainian architectural expertise is also represented internationally through MOI Restaurant, a project by Yodezeen, a design studio operating in Kyiv and London in “Commercial Interior“ category.

Located in London’s Soho district, the restaurant combines Mexican and Japanese culinary traditions within a 650-square-meter interior designed to reflect the venue’s gastronomic identity.

The space features a snake-shaped chandelier, an open kitchen integrated into the dining experience, and a staircase inspired by natural biological forms. Woven textures, earthy colors, and organic materials are used throughout the interior to evoke natural landscapes and create a warm atmosphere.

Meanwhile, Kyiv-based Temp Project developed the interior of the flagship showroom for Ukrainian design brand Gunia Project, presented in the Retail Interior category.

The showroom is located in a late 19th-century building near Kyiv’s Golden Gate, where the designers sought to balance historical preservation with contemporary retail requirements.

Working within restrictions imposed by the building’s heritage status and limited natural lighting, the team incorporated existing architectural elements into the new design. Mahogany cabinets were repurposed as illuminated display cases, while mirrors, tiles, and minimalist lighting were introduced to enhance the perception of space.

The interior also features concealed utilities, carefully organized display areas, and a nature-inspired color palette, creating a gallery-like retail environment intended to highlight contemporary Ukrainian craftsmanship.

Separately, a Russian drone strike on the Ukrainian city of Lutsk on October 13 damaged Cosmogony, recognized as Ukraine’s largest painting and the largest painting in the world, after debris from a downed drone caused a fire at the Adrenalin City entertainment complex.

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