Interview #14 Vika Didych
Please introduce yourself:
© Lesya Yasnitska
I am a lead architect at balbek bureau Kyiv practice with 8 years of experience in architecture & interior design. My portfolio features Thailand Hi and This Is Pyvbar Pechersk restaurants in Kyiv, Brik restaurant and rooftop bar in Odesa and private residential projects in Ukraine and Israel. I am also a part of RE:Ukraine System, a series of social initiatives powered by balbek bureau, and am currently developing RE:Ukraine Vision – an AR-based app generating a virtual image of a restored building, street, or district.
#1 Where did you grow up and what made you study architecture?
I grew up in Ternopil, a city in the western part of Ukraine and moved to Kyiv after school to study as an architect. I always loved to create something with my hands and being creative was my favorite leisure activity in childhood. Creating something of such a big scale and influence as architecture was my dream. I am lucky to have been able to listen to my heart at such an early age and choose the right professional path.
#2 What shaped you the most during your studies and how did you find your way into the workplace?
© Maryan Beresh
I am sure that the community of architecture students made me who I am today. The community of creative people who wanted to make the world a better place is the most valuable thing I got from my studies. People were also what attracted me the most to the well-known studio balbek bureau. I knew that we share the same values and I belong here. But getting the job wasn't easy at all. I got rejected the first time and was overwhelmed by the work at balbek bureau at first. I listened to my heart again and it was one of the best decisions of my life.
#3 You are head of architecture @balbekbureau. What are your tasks and how have they changed in relation to the war in Ukraine?
Making the professional life of the bureau’s architects more comfortable and their work more effective were among my primary responsibilities as head of architects’ development at balbek bureau. I got new duties due to the unprecedented challenges the war caused. We had to shift focus towards social initiatives and help Ukraine withstand this unjustified aggression. I am optimizing the architects' workflow to volunteer and work on commercial projects at once.
#4 You are part of the project @reukrainesystem. Tell us something about the goals and motivation of the project.
Before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, our bureau mainly focused on commercial projects. We used to design award-winning cafes & restaurants, boutique hotels, and offices for global IT companies – we were doing just fine. Two weeks into the invasion, when we adjusted to the new reality, our team decided to use our architectural expertise for a good cause. Since our priority was people and their safety, we started our first project called RE:Ukraine.
© Slava Balbek, Maryan Beresh, balbek bureau - Brik
#5 What has touched you the most in the course of this project so far and what do you wish for the future of @reukrainesystem?
The fact that our desire to help can lead to real-life projects and make a difference was the thing that touched me the most. I am proud of our team for dedicating their time and efforts to make the lives of other people better in such difficult obstacles. I believe that initiative will help to restore our cities in a comfortable, sustainable, and accessible way.
#6 In addition to your work at the architecture office, you have created an educational series on @diia.education called "Interior Designer" together with @balbekbureau and @mintsyfra.official, in which you introduce the profession. What is especially important to you when talking about the work of an (interior) architect?
The main purpose of the educational series was to spread the word about my profession and help newcomers get a start in their careers. The series is free and can help many people find their path, including those who lost their jobs because of war. It was also crucial for me to share our approach to creating or decorating spaces, such as the value of context, communication, and cooperation and the people we are designing our projects for.
#7 How do you see the role of an architect in today's society?
© Ivan Sykhomlyn
I believe architects should be creating spaces with a community-shaping approach. It's up to us to make the built environment safe and people-centric. Because of the war, Ukrainian architects are also in charge of rebuilding Ukraine according to the world standards of sustainability and accessibility.
#8 How does your environment influence your work?
I live and work in Kyiv during the war. I am surrounded by incredible people who decided to stay here and do their best to help Ukraine withstand this unjustified aggression. While work conditions can be unfavorable due to blackouts or constant missile attacks, I am inspired to work hard to make a change.
© Maryan Beresh
#9 Three things that inspire you at the moment:
Ukrainian people, nature, and books.
#10 What do you currently read, watch, listen to?
I am reading Alisa Lozhkina's book «Permanent Revolution: Art in Ukraine, the 20th to the Early 21st Century», which is available in English. I enjoy learning our history by learning about the development of visual art practices in Ukraine while discovering new names and the incredible beauty of art.
© Anna Viktorova
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