Project: Hata-Mazanka Guesthouses / Location: Kyiv, Ukraine / Architect: YOD Group / Location: Kyiv, Ukraine / Photography: Mykhailo Lukashuk
Set on a private estate in central Ukraine, these guesthouses offer a contemporary reinterpretation of the traditional Ukrainian mazanka, an archetypal rural home shaped by local materials, climate and cultural rituals.
Traditional Ukrainian vernacular architecture evolved through simple yet expressive solutions: thick whitewashed walls, thatched roofs and regular plastering as an act of care and an aspiration toward order and beauty. Local firm YOD Group interpreted the traditional building type through a contemporary lens. “This pursuit of light and cleanliness is translated into fully transparent glass façades, while the roof – deliberately oversized – becomes the project’s primary architectural gesture,” the firm says.
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The structures’ sculptural form defines a strong, instantly recognizable silhouette (for those who are familiar), evoking both a traditional tall hat and an oversized mushroom rising from the landscape.
“Our philosophy of terroir design goes beyond working with local materials or familiar forms; it is about uncovering the essence of a place and decoding its cultural meanings,” says Volodymyr Nepiyvoda, co-owner and managing partner of YOD Group. “We studied the image of the traditional Ukrainian house, distilled its core characteristics, and reinterpreted them through our own lens to create a contemporary architectural object.”
The spatial layout for each structure is organized around a functional core – a central concrete block containing the bathroom. On either side are the bedroom and the living room which features a minimalist fireplace, a contemporary reference to the traditional Ukrainian stove.
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The absence of a television is a deliberate choice, the architects explain. Instead of the boob tube, watching the live flame through the circular opening of the fireplace and maintaining constant visual contact with the surrounding nature encourages informational detox and emotional restoration.
During the day, the fully glazed façades visually dissolve, creating the impression that the massive thatched roof is floating above the landscape. Inside and outside, the floor is finished with a continuous stone-carpet that is pleasant to the touch and offers a subtle massage-like sensation when walking barefoot.
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The uninterrupted glazing enhances the sense of immersion in nature, allowing the landscape to become an integral part of the emotional experience. When privacy is needed, guests can close dense yet visually light curtains, operated automatically via a control panel located by the bed.
The interior follows the principles of modern eco-minimalism. A restrained, natural color palette, a rich variety of tactile surfaces and objects by Ukrainian brands come together to create a calm, cohesive environment.
The space features furniture by Noom, black clay decor by Guculiya and textured wooden elements throughout. One of the key bedroom accents is a large custom-made floor lamp crafted from ceramics and natural fibers, adding warmth and sculptural presence.
“The inner surface of the roof dome is clad in wooden tiles that reference traditional wooden shingles historically used on Ukrainian rooftops,” the architects. “Rising to a height of 10 metres [about 32 feet] at its apex, the dome enhances the sense of openness and verticality, while allowing all engineering systems to remain fully concealed, leaving the walls visually clean and uninterrupted.”
In addition to the fireplace, a heat pump system maintains a comfortable indoor climate throughout the year. The concealed air-conditioning is integrated with supply ventilation, operating through discreet linear slots in vertical grilles and exhaust outlets built into the dome and the central core.
