In the heart of Kyiv, AIIX Studio has completed the Heritage Business Center—a building that marks first phase of an ambitious urban redevelopment project transforming a once-industrial district into a thriving business quarter. Spanning 17,000 square meters across seven stories, the stone-clad building serves as both a functional commercial space and a symbolic connection between the city’s past and future.
“We aimed to create minimalist and understated architecture that retains its details,” explains AIIX Architecture founder and lead architect, Oleksander Bosenko. “It is European in style yet perfectly integrated into Kyiv's central historical district. Above all, it prioritises the needs of city residents.” The building demonstrates sustainability not through formal certification—which was impossible during wartime—but through careful material selection, energy-efficient systems and a design philosophy that prioritises environmental responsibility.
A redevelopment initiative in the heart of the Ukrainian capital
The Heritage Business Center represents the first phase of a redevelopment that will transform 100,000 square meters of land edging the city center’s railway corridor from abandoned and industrial to a bustling business district. The redevelopment is based around a progressive model for development in urban contexts, foregrounding pedestrian experience and prioritising human-scaled design.
Construction began in 2021 but was paused for a year due to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia. The building was completed in 2025; however, attacks in August caused damage to Zhylianska Street and the building itself. The structure is currently undergoing restoration to repair the damage.
A design sculpted around light, air and temperature
AIXX Studio has balanced comfort and efficiency in design and systems. Light, air and temperature were key considerations in shaping the Heritage Business Center. The deep-set windows and rhythm of projecting columns sculpt shifting sunlight throughout the day, naturally shielding interiors from harsh solar gain while allowing soft, diffused light to animate the office and communal spaces. High-performance glazing stabilises interior temperatures, so spaces feel consistently comfortable in winter and summer, reducing energy consumption without ever drawing attention to the systems themselves.
German limestone, Italian travertine, Ukrainian granite
The project utilises a range of natural stones. The building’s facade is clad in Solnhofen limestone from Bavaria, a finely grained stone that allows for precise, planar surfaces with tight joints. Embedded fossils—ammonites and belemites measuring up to 30 centimeters—introduce subtle variation and texture without disrupting the minimalist composition of the exterior. Dating back to the Jurassic period, these fossils transform the 500 tonne façade into an archeological dig in the very center of the city. The material’s predictable weathering and long-term durability ensure the facade will age gracefully, while its historical use in European architecture anchors the building within a broader architectural tradition.
The interior of the building has also been completed in natural materials. The lobby is finished in Italian travertine, its soft tones providing a calm counterpoint to the monumental emerald green marble stelae that rises to a height of 7.5 meters. Three types of local Ukrainian granite have been incorporated as accent elements, emphasising the region’s geological heritage while creating a distinctive architectural identity that connects the building to both cultural and geographic context. A striking spiral staircase connects the main floor to the second-floor gallery, serving as both functional element and sculptural focal point that enhances the space's dynamic character. Together, these elements create subtle contrasts while maintaining a restrained, material-driven aesthetic.
Flexible floorplan for a sustainable future
The building’s open-plan layout provides flexibility for a range of commercial uses, from offices to restaurants and event spaces. The design fully meets international accessibility standards, ensuring that universal design principles are integrated throughout. By combining durable materials, attention to historical context, and contemporary functionality, the Heritage Business Center demonstrates how thoughtful design can balance respect for the past with practical, modern use.
