Shkrub House: A Blend of Ukrainian Tradition and Japanese Wisdom

Sergey Makhno Architects Creates a Unique Residential Masterpiece

The uniqueness of Shkrub House lies in its use of earth as a material, prominently featured in the original thatched roof and the dense textured clay walls. This not only gives the home a cocoon-like atmosphere but also pays tribute to Ukrainian culture. Thatched roofs were a hallmark of rural Ukrainian homes, and the clay walls were made using ancestral artisanal techniques used in the construction of traditional huts.

One of the highlights of the ground floor is a 6-meter high wall and a rustic display unit showcasing a beautiful collection of ceramic artifacts from Trypillian culture, dating from 2-5 B.C. The bedrooms on the second floor are adorned with Kaws and art-toys DIDO by Serhii Makhno. Each wall in the head of tatami-bed is wrapped in beauty: handmade wallpaper, an allusion to a clay cliff, or a designer ceramic tile. Everything is unique, made by one person for another.

The project, which started in March 2018 and finished in August 2019, was located in Kozyn, Kyiv region, Ukraine. The design team included Oleksandr Makhno, Olha Sobchyshyna, Serhii Filanchuk, and Maryna Hrechko. The Shkrub House covers an area of 370 square meters, reflecting the contemporary Ukrainian style with a touch of Makhno design.

Shkrub House is not just a residential structure; it is a testament to the beauty that manifests itself in all the spaces of this house. It is the outcome of a journey back to one’s roots, seen in the elements, the architecture, and the objects. Serhii Makhno considers his journey to Japan to play a crucial role in the deep design cognition. The way that Japanese culture pays tribute to the beauty of its ancestral heritage, was like finding a special lens that gave him a different perception of the wealth of Ukrainian culture and the way it should be extolled.

This unique design has not gone unnoticed. Shkrub House was awarded the Golden A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2020. This prestigious award is granted to marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom. They are venerated products and bright ideas that advance art, science, design, and technology, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with their desirable characteristics.