A new multifunctional space for children and young people opened today, 14 August, on the grounds of the modular housing complex at 72-A Chervonoi Kalyny Avenue in Lviv. The temporary wooden structure was installed by German company Urban Beta as part of the “Circular Ukraine” project. It will serve as a multifunctional space for children, young people and adults. The building itself costs €180,000 excluding installation. At the same time, it can be completely dismantled, transported to another location and reassembled.

The nearly 80-square-metre space will host educational meetings and seminars, prayer events, film screenings, concerts, creative workshops and other activities aimed at supporting the development, learning and social integration of children and young people.

What makes the new space particularly distinctive is not only its purpose, but also its construction technology. The structure is fully wooden, modular and designed for rapid assembly. It was developed according to the principle of reuse: the elements were not glued together, while the use of materials that could complicate dismantling was minimised. This means that, if necessary, the building can be disassembled into its components, packed, transported and reassembled at another location.

Moreover, each component has its own digital chip containing information about the element. Essentially, this serves as a digital passport that makes it possible to track the component throughout its entire life cycle — from production and use to dismantling and reuse.

“This space was created using a unique technology that is being applied in Ukraine for the first time. We are very pleased that children now have a space made from environmentally friendly materials where they can learn, take part in various activities and spend their free time. It is primarily intended for children and adults living in this modular housing complex. We are grateful to our partners for implementing projects like this exactly where they are needed most,” said Valentyna Bartoshyk, Director of the Department of Humanitarian Policy of the Lviv City Council.

According to Anton Klishyn, Coordinator of the “Circular Ukraine” project, the coming year will serve as a kind of real-world test for the facility.

“For us, it was important not simply to create a standalone building, but to demonstrate a system that can operate with a high degree of independence in any community. This is a technology that can be scaled and implemented in a decentralised way. I hope that the residents of Mariapolis will truly make this space their own,” said Anton Klishyn, Coordinator of the “Circular Ukraine” project.

Importantly, Ukrainian manufacturers were also involved in the project. The idea is not only to use this technology in Ukraine, but also to enable similar buildings to be produced in the future without being tied to a single manufacturing facility. This creates potential to scale the solution and adapt it to the needs of different communities.

The space is still being fitted out, but it is expected to become available to residents of the social housing complex soon.

Photo and video: Lviv City Council