The Norman Foster Foundation's Kharkiv Housing Challenge is seeking innovative, modular solutions to retrofit the city's aging concrete panel housing blocks and revitalize its public spaces. As Ukraine's second-largest city, Kharkiv has been hit hard by the war, with many residential neighborhoods suffering significant damage.
The competition, which is open to architects and designers worldwide, tasks participants with developing modular systems capable of upgrading the city's concrete panel housing. This includes enhancing energy efficiency, integrating community spaces, and even providing bomb shelters - a pressing need in the volatile region.
This collaborative approach is a crucial aspect of the initiative, as it aims to ensure the solutions developed truly meet the needs and aspirations of Kharkiv's diverse communities.
Beyond the tangible impact on Kharkiv's neighbourhoods, the competition also holds the potential for broader influence. Given the modularity of the proposed solutions, the winning designs could potentially be replicated in other Ukrainian cities facing similar post-conflict housing challenges.
As the September 12th registration deadline approaches, the organizers are hopeful that the competition will attract a diverse array of innovative proposals from around the world. For the people of Kharkiv, the stakes are high, but the promise of a brighter future is palpable.
You can register: Here
