Architecture competition "Pape Nature Park Gateway" 3rd prize winner - Bondarenko Group

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the winners of the 3rd prize of our “Pape Nature Park Gateway” competition - Bogdan Bondarenko, Kostiantyn Bondarenko, Olena Kashpur and Marharyta Motylevska from Ukraine!

"Group Bondarenko" from Ukraine

Architectural bureau "Group Bondarenko" was established in 2000, in Kharkiv (Ukraine), by a teacher of the Kharkiv National University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, and from a number of students and its graduates. The main goal was to develop commercial projects and an alternative to educational projects.

At different times, the bureau consisted of 4 to 12 people, depending on the complexity and the size of the project. Now the group consists of six members, who develop concepts and architectural parts of the projects; engineering and construction is carried out by partner firms.

The main area of activity is residential and commercial interiors, private architecture. The framework for the solution of design tasks varies from product design and furniture to renovation projects of urban development.

Brief information about the projects that you/your company have been involved with. For instance what scale have you focused on/preferred, any significant projects where company/ individuals have been involved?

Restaurant "Sho-Ko-Ko" in Simferopol, Ukraine 2011 - reconstruction of the building and all interiors ( Grand Prix from National Union of Architects of Ukraine - 2012);

Coffee-HUB "Dom Kofe" in Kharkiv 2014 - reconstruction of the building and all interiors;

Project of the hanger for competition by PORADA 2016 (Associazione per il designo Industriale (ADI Italy) - 2017)

Project of the Stone Barn Meditation Camp for competition by Bee Breeders architecture competition organiser (2017)

For more than 18 years of our work, we have already implemented so many projects that one can't even remember a part today =)

What does architecture mean to you and what is the role of an architect in your society?

We just do what we love and what we know how to do.

Why do you participate in architecture vision competitions?

Modern cultural and economic conditions in Ukraine shape a development far from the samples of modern architecture. Participation in competitions allows us to be involved in the new history of architecture and to be in the context of its development.

What advice would you give to individuals who struggle to decide whether it would be beneficial for them to participate in architecture vision competitions?

Do what you think is right and not what the organizers expect.