A Prestigious Recognition for Rebuilding
Ukrainian architectural collective Livyj Bereh has been awarded the esteemed 2024 Royal Academy Dorfman Prize, recognizing their critical efforts in restoring roofs damaged by Russia’s invasion. This accolade, worth £10,000 (€12,000), is one of the highest honors in the architectural world, highlighting the significance of their work in the face of adversity.
Voluntary Efforts Amid Conflict
Livyj Bereh operates as a volunteer organization dedicated to rebuilding efforts across Ukraine in response to the ongoing war. Selected from four shortlisted candidates, they received special acknowledgment for their “essential and urgent response to the survival of communities” affected by the conflict. The organization has focused its efforts along the left bank of the Dnipro River, mainly from their base in Kyiv, where they have rebuilt essential structures such as roofs, homes, schools, and hospitals.
Innovative and Resilient Design
Jury chairs Tom Emerson OBE RA and Stephanie Macdonald OBE RA praised Livyj Bereh for their innovative use of simple black corrugated metal roofs, describing this technique as an architectural act of collective care and resistance. They emphasized that this work represents civic strength on par with more traditional monuments and is documented with the powerful perspective of war art.
Global Awareness and Community Impact
Co-founder of Livyj Bereh, Kseniia Kalmus, expressed gratitude towards the Royal Academy for recognizing their work, stressing the importance of support for their voluntary initiative. Since May 2022, the group has successfully restored over 380 roofs in regions such as Charkiv, Černihiv, and Kyiv, with each repair costing approximately €2000. Beyond physical reconstruction, they also engage in global awareness campaigns and exhibitions, showcasing the threatened cultural and architectural heritage due to the conflict.
Other Nominees and the Prize Ceremony
The Dorfman Prize was awarded during a ceremony at the Royal Academy in London on October 31. Alongside Livyj Bereh, three other nominee projects were recognized: bplus.xyz from Germany, known for reimagining existing structures; TEN studio from Switzerland and Serbia, focusing on socially engaged architecture; and Salima Naji from Morocco, who leads restoration projects that combine local techniques with modern solutions for earthquake resilience. Sir Lloyd Dorfman commended Livyj Bereh for their impactful work, stating that they restore hope to communities grappling with the ongoing turmoil.
SOURCE: Ref Image from World Architects
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