YOD GROUP REIMAGINES THE TRADITIONAL UKRAINIAN HATA-MAZANKA THROUGH CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE

Set within a private estate in central Ukraine, these contemporary guesthouses by YOD Group reinterpret the iconic Ukrainian hata-mazanka through transparency, monumental thatched roofs, and immersive connections to nature. Blending vernacular architecture, eco-minimalism, and experiential hospitality design, the project proposes a striking new vision for contemporary Ukrainian architecture rooted in cultural memory and terroir design.

Traditionally defined by whitewashed walls, handcrafted plaster finishes, and expressive thatched roofs, the Ukrainian mazanka has long embodied rural simplicity, craftsmanship, and a deep relationship with the landscape. In this contemporary reinterpretation, YOD Group transforms these vernacular archetypes into a sculptural architectural statement where fully glazed façades replace solid walls, dissolving the boundaries between interior and exterior space.

The oversized roof becomes the project’s defining architectural gesture, an iconic floating canopy inspired simultaneously by traditional Ukrainian rural houses, folkloric silhouettes, and organic mushroom-like forms emerging from the landscape. During daylight hours, the transparent volumes visually disappear beneath the monumental roof structure, creating the illusion of a hovering organic dome suspended above nature.

Inside, the spatial composition revolves around a central concrete core housing the bathroom and technical systems, while the living and sleeping areas unfold openly on either side. A minimalist fireplace references the traditional Ukrainian stove, reinforcing the project’s philosophy of slow living, emotional restoration, and digital detox. The deliberate absence of a television encourages guests to reconnect with natural rhythms, firelight, silence, and the surrounding environment.

The interiors embrace a refined eco-minimalist aesthetic defined by tactile natural materials, warm wood textures, stone-carpet flooring, handcrafted ceramics, and furniture by Ukrainian design brand Noom. Decorative elements by Ukrainian artisans further reinforce the project’s cultural identity while maintaining a restrained and contemporary atmosphere.

Engineering systems are seamlessly integrated within the soaring timber-lined dome, which rises to nearly 10 metres at its apex. Clad internally with wooden shingles inspired by traditional Ukrainian roofing techniques, the sculptural ceiling conceals ventilation, air conditioning, and climate-control infrastructure, preserving the purity and visual calm of the interiors.

Combining sustainable architecture, local craftsmanship, contemporary hospitality design, and reinterpretations of Ukrainian vernacular heritage, the project positions itself as a powerful example of the emerging language of modern Ukrainian architecture, one where cultural identity, emotional experience, and architectural innovation coexist in perfect balance.

project: contemporary hata-mazanka guesthouses
location: central ukraine
typology: hospitality, guesthouses, shelter
area: 50 m²
year: 2026
architecture & interior design: yod group
founders: volodymyr nepiyvoda & dmytro bonesko
project team: volodymyr nepiyvoda, dmytro bonesko, natalia tymochesko, yana rogozhinska

photography: mykhailo lukashuk (c)
source: courtesy of v2com