Architects take first steps toward establishing an organization (07/11/99)

Joint Conferences of Ukrainian American Organizations

Architects take first steps toward establishing an organization

by Ulana Baczynskyj
Special to The Ukrainian Weekly

ARLINGTON, Va. - The plan to form a new professional society began to coalesce on June 26 when 23 architects and related professionals gathered here within the framework of the Joint Conferences.

They came from Austria, Canada, Ukraine and throughout the United States to brainstorm with their colleagues. They attended a series of interesting seminars that covered topics ranging from universal design issues to the unique challenges facing a diaspora architect working within the Ukrainian community.

Anatole Senkevitch presented the historical perspectives on church architecture, while Oleh Kruhly concentrated on the effect of cultural predisposition on contexturalism. Walter Daschko aptly wove together the discussion of the two topics. Jurij Sawicky took the unexpected twist of discussing kitsch in design.

Several project presentations gave the audience the opportunity to compare the construction process in Ukraine with their own experiences here. Highlighting this segment were Ireneus Harasymiak's case history report on King Richard's castle in Kyiv and Roman Shwed's timely update of the state of construction in Ukraine. Oleh Cherniahivsky and Walter Boykowych discussed their experiences of working and studying in Ukraine. A special treat was a video of the Mysko dacha featured in Architectural Digest (December 1998) provided by Roman Shwed, the project architect.

Ivan Bereznicki, Laryssa Kurylas and Zenon Mazurkewych, among others, took advantage of the special opportunity offered by the conference to share some of their work in an architectural exhibit. An open session prepared by Mr. Bereznicki gave a practical insight on the experience of working with an architect on a project. A design clinic was offered to all conference attendees.

Although no formal organization exists to date, the group found the Joint Conferences program inspiring enough to enthusiastically support the formation of a Society for Ukrainian Architecture. Membership would be open to anyone interested in architecture in Ukraine, as well as in design work in the diaspora. Current plans are to not limit the group to design professionals.

Objectives of this organization will be to: deepen the Western world's appreciation for architecture in Ukraine; showcase diaspora work; educate architects in Ukraine to Western means and methods of construction; develop an intern exchange program; publish a directory of design professionals; and create opportunities for the design community to gather regionally.

The date of June 2-4, 2000, is slated for the next national meeting of design professionals, which is planned for Chicago. An autumn 2000 design tour of Ukraine is a project under consideration by the group. Local activities are also foreseen for the fall of 1999. For more information e-mail ubarchitec@aol.com, and/or read the Weekly for updates.

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