Symposium

Women in Architecture Ukraine. Reflect – React – Response

SYMPOSIUM

Part 1. / 2. WIA Ukraine. Reflect – React – Response

The entire event will be in English.

The ongoing defensive struggle against the russian war of aggression since early 2022 has led to a strong shift in values in Ukrainian society and a rethinking of our identity. The engagement with this change is the occasion and subject of our WIA 25 contribution.

As part of the first WIA Ukraine event during the WIA25 Festival, we want to address perspectives for the reconstruction of Ukraine in the context of cultural identity, building culture and sustainable development, as well as the role of female architects in shaping the country’s future.

Under the motto “Reflect – React – Response”, we explore the historical context of Ukraine’s past, the reaction of Ukrainian architects to current crises and our responsibility for the future.

The WIA Ukraine network was founded in 2025 as part of the WIA Festival and in cooperation with BDA Berlin.

Der seit Anfang 2022 andauernde Verteidigungskampf gegen den russischen Angriffskrieg führte zu einem starken Wertewandel in der ukrainischen Gesellschaft und einem Überdenken unserer Identität. Die Auseinandersetzung mit diesem Wandel ist Anlass und Gegenstand unseres WIA25 Beitrages.

Im Rahmen der ersten WIA Ukraine-Veranstaltung während des WIA25 Festivals möchten wir Perspektiven für den Wiederaufbau der Ukraine im Kontext kultureller Identität, Baukultur und nachhaltiger Entwicklung sowie die Rolle von Architektinnen bei der Gestaltung der Zukunft des Landes thematisieren.

Unter dem Motto “Reflect – React – Response” beleuchten wir den historischen Kontext der ukrainischen Vergangenheit, die Reaktion der ukrainischen Architekt:innen auf aktuelle Krisen und unsere Verantwortung für die Zukunft.

Das Netzwerk WIA Ukraine gründete sich 2025 im Rahmen des bundesweiten WIA Festivals und in Kooperation mit dem BDA Berlin.

Opening. Building Culture.

Panel Discussion WIA Ukraine / B D A Berlin.

13:00 Similarities and differences regarding aspects of building culture and the visibility of women in architecture in Germany and Ukraine

Part 1. Our Past and Reflection
Factors in the development of Ukraine’s architectural identity. The visibility and role of female architects in different historical epochs

14:00
Western Architects in Ukraine from the late 19th to early 20th century
Olga Konovalova
Heritage as a determinant of urban identity. The importance of preserving the destroyed traces of the history of Ukrainian cities on the example of Kharkiv
Svitlana Smolenska
Ukrainian Female Architect. History and Present
Anna Desiatnychuk. Ukrainian/English (Translation)

15:15
Discussion including a short film
Women who care. Women’s initiatives for the preservation of Ukraine’s cultural heritage

Part 2. Rethink and Take Action

If not now, when? Present and current initiatives by female architects that are already changing Ukrainian society

16:15
Architecture from a woman’s hand: Current statistics and insights into women-led offices and initiatives
Ira Kychata
Remarkable and contemporary: Outstanding projects by Ukrainian female architects
n.n.
Rethink and take action: Female-led social projects and initiatives in response to current challenges
n.n.

18:00 – 20:00 Get-together

:: Part 3. WIA Ukraine. Reflect – React – Response. Donnerstag, den 26.6.2025, 18:00 – 21:00 Uhr, BDA Galerie, Mommsenstraße 64, 10629 Berlin

EXHIBITION

Alongside the main block, an interactive exhibition and video projection will run in the adjacent room from. The exhibition engages visitors with questions about supporting Ukraine now and visions for its reconstruction. Ongoing video projections explore Ukraine’s social initiatives and projects across time: from the preservation of the past and identity, to those addressing current challenges, to future-oriented strategies and innovations.

Datum
Sonntag, den 22.6.2025, 13:00 – 20:00 Uhr

Ort
feldfünf im Metropolenhaus, Fromet-und-Moses-Mendelssohn-Platz 7-8, 10969 Berlin

Anmeldung
wia.ukr@gmail.com

Akteur:innen
WIA Ukraine in Kooperation mit BDA Berlin

Team
Olena Kobets, Ira Kychata, Kseniia Chebina, Yevheniia Likhachova, Yana Bas, Ivanna Papushenko, Olha Konovalova, Veronika Zapukhla, Yana Brukhovetska, Anna Desiatnychuk.

Grafikdesign
Yana Bas

Informationen (update)
www.bda- berlin.de