A complex of guest cottages has been built in central Ukraine, which reinterprets the classic Ukrainian mazanka cottage in an extremely balanced way. Architects from the YOD Group drew on the archetype of a rural house to translate its meaning into the language of contemporary architecture. The result is cottages that combine minimalist form with subtle references to tradition.
The concept centres on the idea of transparency and light. What was expressed in traditional buildings by whitewashed walls and regularly renewed clay coating has been translated here into completely transparent façades. Glass surfaces blur the boundary between the interior and the surroundings, allowing nature to penetrate inside. At the same time, the architects deliberately rescaled the roof, making it the main compositional element. Its sculptural form, reminiscent of both a traditional top hat and an oversized forest mushroom, gives the houses a recognisable character.
A mazanka is a traditional Ukrainian rural cottage built of clay, raw brick or wickerwork covered with clay mortar. Its walls were whitewashed with lime, and its construction was dictated by local conditions – in regions with limited wood resources, earthen techniques were used to ensure good insulation and durability.
An example of a mazanka hut:
The name comes from the Ukrainian word mazaty, meaning “to smear, to coat”, which refers to the method of applying clay to the structure. The interior of the walls was filled with a mixture of clay, straw and sometimes manure, and after drying, the whole structure was plastered and whitewashed again. Mazanki were widespread in Ukraine and in regions inhabited by the Ukrainian diaspora, and their equivalents were also found in the Caucasus.
Volodymyr Nepiyvoda, co-owner of YOD Group, emphasises that the project stems from the philosophy of “terroir design”, which is not limited to local materials or familiar forms. It is about reading the cultural code of a place and translating it into the contemporary language of architecture. In this case, it meant analysing the traditional Ukrainian house, identifying its most important features and creatively reinterpreting them.
The interiors of the houses are subordinated to the idea of full integration with the landscape. The central concrete block houses the bathroom and organises the space, with the bedroom and living area on either side. The living room features a minimalist fireplace – a contemporary allusion to the stove, which was the centre of life in a traditional cottage. The absence of a television is no accident. The architects wanted guests to focus on the living fire and the surrounding nature, which promotes calm and rest from the excess of stimuli.
During the day, the glass facades almost disappear, and the massive thatched roof seems to float above the ground. The uniform stone carpet flooring, used both inside and outside, reinforces the impression of fluidity of space. Its delicate texture feels pleasant underfoot, resembling a subtle massage. When privacy is needed, the interior can be covered with curtains controlled from a panel next to the bed.
The interior design is based on the principles of contemporary eco-minimalism. The natural colour palette, rich textures and the presence of Ukrainian brands create a harmonious, peaceful atmosphere. The space features Noom furniture, black clay decorations by Guculiya and numerous wooden accents. One of the most striking elements is a large, custom-made floor lamp made of ceramics and natural fibres, which introduces soft light and a sculptural dominant feature.
The technology has been integrated into the architecture so that it remains invisible. The interior of the roof dome is finished with wooden shingles, reminiscent of historical roofing. Its ten-metre height enhances the impression of spaciousness, while allowing all installations to be hidden. The heat pump system ensures comfort throughout the year, while air conditioning and ventilation operate through discreet slits in vertical grilles and openings in the dome and central core.
The YOD Group’s complex of cottages is an example of architecture that does not seek to make an impact through literal references to the past. Instead, it extracts the essence of local tradition and translates it into a contemporary language, creating a space that is both rooted in place and open to new experiences. The minimalist form, transparency and conscious use of light make the design not only a reinterpretation of the mazanki hut, but also a reflection on how to build in dialogue with the landscape today.
design: YOD Group
design team: Volodymyr Nepyivoda, Dmytro Bonesco, Natalia Tymochesko, Yana Rogozhinska
photos: Mykhailo Lukashuk
source: v2com
Read also: Summer house | Ukraine | Minimalism | Recommended | whiteMAD on Instagram
