ukrainian design
Over the past year, Ukraine’s resilience in the face of adversity has inspired the world, and the nation’s design community has been determined to play its part. Here, we hand over to our ELLE Decoration Ukraine colleagues to celebrate the creatives ensuring their industry will survive and thrive in the future
Slava Balbek, Balbek Bureau
With a focus on socially sustainable housing, the founder of this Kyiv-based design studio is dedicated to Ukraine’s future…
‘RE:Ukraine Housing, which we have been working on since the second week of the full-scale invasion, is our biggest project. It began with planning decent temporary housing for refugees, and now includes an online construction kit for restoring destroyed rural buildings, a solution for protecting monuments and a proposal for memorialising – for future generations – buildings and locations that were destroyed or affected by the war.’ What does the future look like? ‘Our designers and architects are already setting the tone for the industry. I believe that Ukrainian design will not only retain its originality, but will become more inclusive, ecological and technological.’ balbek.com
‘Loop’ pouf by Woo
Created in the form of a continuous loop that blurs the concept of seat and support, the playful design of this pouf is by Woo, a studio based in Kyiv. Approx £383 (woo.furniture).
Faino Decor Studio
The work of studio founders Nikita and Kristina Vlasov, this colourful apartment in Kyiv is proudly filled with the finest examples of Ukrainian design, including a light by local brand Pikart, restored vintage chairs from Lana Lylyk’s nearby Shabby Art workshop and a Lialya Motanka sculpture. It offers a homely glimpse into the wealth of creativity that exists in Ukraine’s capital and beyond (facebook.com/fainodecor).
+kouple
Kyiv-located +kouple (formerly known as Fild) has been making lamps for 10 years and has developed a clear, expressive style defined by functionality and minimalism. Geometric precision, as well as a signature palette, makes its pieces (from left: ‘Radius’, ‘Plate’ and ‘Spotty’) instantly recognisable (pluskouple.com).
Re:Quiet
In contemporary life where spaces are increasingly expected to be multifunctional and clashing sounds can be distracting and induce anxiety, acoustic panels feel like a necessity rather than an optional extra. Made from recycled plastic bottles, the ‘Ellipse’ panels from Ukrainian brand Re:Quiet offer a bold solution (requiet.ua).
‘QW’ side table, Archdep Furniture
