An Architectural Competition to Create a Standard Model Design for Family-Type Small Group Homes in Ukraine Begins This Week

The Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV), the Union of Estonian Architects, and the Ministry of Culture announce an architectural competition to create a standard design for family-type small group homes in Ukraine. This competition and its subsequent projects must be completed cooperatively, between Estonian and Ukrainian architects. The deadline for submission of designs is 11 July 2023.

There are currently an estimated 25,000 orphaned children living in boarding-school-like orphanages in Ukraine. Before the war, Ukraine had begun to reform its child welfare system by transitioning out of orphanages and into family-type residential care. Estonia stands ready to support Ukraine in developing an inclusive social welfare system, as well as to build family-type small group homes displaying excellent architecture that meets the quality and sustainability standards upheld in the European Union.

“Due to the violent war in Russia, the number of orphaned children in Ukraine is constantly increasing. At the same time, the opportunities for these children to find adoptive families is decreasing. As we work together to rebuild Ukraine, we must create an inclusive environment that is sustainable and based on principles recognized in the European Union. I invite all Estonian architects to contribute to this competition, so that the childhoods of those who have lost their parents can remain connected with a safe family home and garden. This is the least that we can do,” said Heidy Purga, Minister of Culture.

The architectural competition is seeking out a standard design for a family-type small group home, which can be adapted based on location and therefore used to construct new family homes across Ukraine. Pre-fabricated wooden modular solutions must be used to provide space for up to eight children and their foster parents as well as ensure access and ease of use for family members with special needs.

“The standard small group home design created as a result of this architectural competition should aptly combine Estonia’s top skills in the factory production of wooden buildings, space creation, and experience in building a system of family-based substitute care.  This would give Ukraine a good opportunity to become acquainted with the requirements and standards for the construction of family homes that are in place in the European Union,” said Tarmo Needo, ESTDEV’s Programme Manager for Infrastructure Development in Ukraine.

The Union of Estonian Architects (EAL), which has long standing experience in conducting such architectural competitions, is involved in the organisation of this one. “The use of a public competition is also important in the context of Ukraine, in conjunction with the innovative family house design. The long-established experience of the Estonian public sector in commissioning new construction projects through public architectural competitions has proven that this is how we get the best possible solutions. As an added bonus, it is also an effective method to prevent corruption,” stated Andro Mänd, President of EAL.

The pinnacle requisite for participation in this architectural competition is that the project be completed as a joint effort between Estonian and Ukrainian architects, with the purpose of providing professional support to Ukrainian architects and involving people familiar with the local context and spatial culture. Moreover, the winning work will also be required to obtain a building permit and authorised supervision in Ukraine. The conditions of the competition have been coordinated with the Union of Architects of Ukraine.

When it comes to family homes, Estonia’s valuable experience in modernising outdated spaces and creating inclusive environments that are sustainably constructed can be relied upon, and this is important considering Ukraine’s status as a European Union candidate country.

The deadline for submission of competition model designs is 11 July 2023. The prize is €20,000. More information is available here.

On 25 May 2023, beginning at 15:00, there will be an informational session for those interested in participating in the competition. This session will take place online, using the Teams app. The briefing will be recorded and published on the website for the Union of Estonian Architects. Attendees are asked to bring identification. For additional information, please contact Johanna Jõekalda at [email protected].

The jury for the competition includes Tarmo Needo, Eva-Maria Liimets, and Anna Silem from ESTDEV, Johanna Jõekalda from the Ministry of Culture, Andro Mänd and Siiri Vallner from EAL, and Olena Oliynyk from the Union of Architects of Ukraine.

This architectural competition is part of a larger cooperation between the Ministry of Culture and ESTDEV, which aims to ensure that the principles of Davos’ Baukultur Quality System are upheld throughout the reconstruction of Ukraine.