Andrew Bondareko: The DEFIANT DESIGNER of UKRAINE

I’ve known Andrew for sometime now when he approached for mentoring. I have to say the current events in Ukraine has meant that Andrew and I have gotten to know each other a lot more, our communication has become almost daily over the social media app instagram. His messages are always calm in nature but I do worry when contact is broken.

I have visited Ukraine, back in 2016 and travelled to Cherkasy and also Kyiv and went on an architectural tour, most architects tend to do this when on vacation. I found Ukraine to be a very beautiful country, filled with wonderful architecture, but more importantly many wonderful people.

Now that Andrew is in a relatively safe place, in Ukraine I conducted this interview only a couple of days ago. I hope this interview will show how much Andrew loves his country and also that he remains defiant against all odds.

My name is Bondarenko Andrey, I was born and raised in Ukraine in the city of Krivoy Rog, Dnipro region. I studied at the gymnasium but became interested in architecture. I have always loved beautiful buildings, and I wanted to know how to build them, how to calculate loads and select materials. I have always admired people who build bridges, houses, airports and all kinds of civil facilities. To achieve my goal, I began to intensively study mathematics, chemistry and drawing. After graduating from school, at the University, I studied the calculation of chemical industry buildings and devices for the chemical industry and energy-saving technologies, which helped me further try my hand at BIM technology.

Why did you choose an architectural related profession?

I chose the architectural direction in my work because I always wanted to create houses, design residential areas and participate in the development of the infrastructure of my country, which began to change after the collapse of the USSR. Architectural dictatorship was replaced by European freedom.

What are your most favourite buildings in Ukraine and why?

My favourite buildings in Ukraine are: House with Chimeras in Kyiv, Richard’s Castle, Flat Wall House in Odessa, Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, House of Legends in Lvov. I like these buildings, because first of all they are architectural monuments and they are of value to our country. They are attracted by the features of the structure and communications. The presence of elements of different centuries in the decoration of these buildings, which show the history of the development of our cities, is also important. On the other hand, the abundance of new residential areas, shopping centres, stadiums shows how much we have been able to achieve in a short period of independence. For example, in the city of Kharkiv, recently, the best shopping centre in terms of facade and interior processing was opened, which included both a shopping area and a recreation area, a children’s area, a gym and a cinema. But the most important thing is the panoramic roof, which has become a landmark of the shopping centre. Unfortunately, this building, like many others, has already been destroyed by Russian bombs.

Having had the pleasure of visiting Ukraine in the past it feels very European in many parts of the country with often beautiful architecture. Which architects in Ukraine do you admire and why?

Oleksandr Kobelev, a very famous Ukrainian architect, who designed the building of our national bank, which was built in 1902 and remains one of the most beautiful buildings in Ukraine to this day.

Vladislav Gorodetsky is an architect who designed more than 30 buildings, but his most famous works are the House with Chimeras (above) and the Church of St. Nicholas in Kyiv.

Oleg Drozdov is an urbanist architect who opened one of the best architectural bureaus in Kharkiv and works with projects both in Ukraine and in Europe, bringing his style from Ukraine to Europe. The building above is a Drama Theatre (Teatr na Podoli) located in Kyiv. (copyright https://drozdov-partners.com)

Drozdov & Partners designed this project, located in the very heart of Kharkіv’s busy downtown, Ave Plaza inevitably became a new commercial hub of the city, attracting visitors with a variety of shops and restaurants, as well as with its striking appearance. The new building fills a gap in the historic tissue along the red line of the street, providing smooth transition between two existing scales.

Did you ever think for a moment that you would be invaded by Russia?

Yes. I have been expecting this since 2010, looking at the mood of the people of Russia, including my relatives, with whom I stopped communicating. This year, the intensity of propaganda and hatred towards Ukrainians has increased. And it became clear that a full-scale war could no longer be avoided. In the months leading up to the war, we waited for the key moment for their invasion. Although there was hope for peace, we were preparing for war.

If the worst was to happen and Russia conquered your country what would you do and how do you think your life would change?

If Russia conquered our country, then because of the sanctions in the occupied territories, I would not be able to work. I do not want to live in the Russian dictatorship, so I would have to leave the country and look for new ways to earn money in order to fully provide for myself and my family. But I am sure that Russia will not succeed in conquering Ukraine. We are different, Ukrainians love freedom very much, and Russians, although our neighbours, love the tsar and are used to living under the rule of a dictator who indicates what they are allowed to do and what not.

What are your biggest personal concerns right now?

Now I am most concerned about the lives and health of my relatives and friends. I really want cities and people to be liberated from occupation and return to normal life without fear that a bomb will fall on them and destroy their homes. My most important desire is a peaceful sky over Ukraine.

Where do you sleep when the bombing happens?

When our city was bombed, we slept in the basement (above) on the floor because that was the safest place. After the air raid was lifted, we went to make Molotov cocktails to meet the invaders and repulse them.

Are you currently able to work and if so what what projects do you currently work on?

Yes, now I am ready to work, but the number of available projects has decreased, because the number of customers has also decreased during the two weeks of the war. So now that I’ve made it to safety, there isn’t much work to do.

Please tell me about your working day and how it has changed since you were invaded?

Usually, my day began with the fact that I sat down at the computer, sorted out mail, communicated with engineers and customers about the projects that I was involved in. I learned what changes I need to make to models and drawings. During the day, I made these changes while talking to the engineers. After the end of the working day, I rested with my girlfriend, or met with friends in a bar. But with the outbreak of the war, everything changed. We sat in the basement for eight days and there was no opportunity to lead a normal life. It was impossible to work, because there was no time, no conditions, no Internet. After I left the city, it was four and a half days of travel and searching for housing. Now I am in relative safety, and I have the time and opportunity to work.

Buildings and infrastructure are being destroyed on a daily basis. Your president has vowed to rebuild Ukraine when this is all over. What are your thoughts on this and will you be involved?

After our victory, I look forward to being able to help design and model new residential and civic areas. I would like to be useful for my city, which I had to leave. Because already 400 houses were destroyed in Kharkov, the city where I lived for 9 happy years.

You are at age where you may have to arm yourself and fight? Is this something you are having to do?

Yes, I am now in military age. But I have no combat experience, so they don’t take me into the army yet. At the moment, preference is given to professional military personnel. Despite this, I want to help the country with money that I can earn and send to the army, and taxes that I can pay to my state. And then, if my help in the war is needed, then I will be able to participate in hostilities, since the integrity and sovereignty of my country is the most important thing for me. But at the moment I want to help with money and the fact that I will develop myself as a specialist and develop my country after our victory in the war.

What are your hopes for the future?

I expect that the situation with the destroyed infrastructure in Ukraine will quickly improve, including with the help of our allies. Money and projects will be needed to restore houses, bridges, roads and military facilities. I believe that everything will be fine, we will stand, win and live better than before. Without the constant presence of Russia in the affairs of our domestic and foreign policy. Since the reference to Europe and European development is the choice of our state and our people.

If you could ask for help what is the one thing that the architectural industry could help you with?

I would like to ask for help for Ukrainian architects and for Ukrainian cities. Now many talented specialists are out of work, they need help in finding projects and a decent salary. And our beautiful and free country will need help in rebuilding infrastructure, because our cities are being destroyed, people are left without homes and without the possibility of existence.

Glory to Ukraine! Glory to heroes!

Andrew has asked that you please support the Red Cross or the #standwithukraine.

BUT HE ALSO NEEDS HELP!

Andrew is running out of work and money and wants to stay in Ukraine and work remotely on projects, he has excellent language and BIM skills and he has been remote working for over 3 years now. Can you offer any work to Andrew? He has personally told me he wants to work to help his fellow people (anyway he can) defending yes, but also rebuilding Ukraine once the invasion is over.

Please, if you have any work that Andrew can do he informs me that he still has the capability to do so and wants to work. Please connect with him on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-bondarenko-bim-engineer/?originalSubdomain=ua or connect via myself, Jason Boyle.