Nature challenged us. The challenge was about beauty. Could we avoid spoiling it and instead enhance it? Constructing a complex featuring a house and a restaurant in a contemporary Ukrainian style, right on the edge of the Ukrainian Crystalline Shield. On a steep slope by the banks of the proud Buh River (a figurative expression; building codes were not violated – ed.) with tectonic boulders three billion years old. To ensure we didn’t disrupt nature’s symphony but rather continued it.

The house was meant to embody the dream of a large family—a cozy dream with three guest apartments for relatives and a restaurant. The challenge was accepted. And so began Tecton.

An idea on the edge of the plate: hyper locality

Then there was a stone. And another one. Many stones. Small ones and true tectonic giants. Some we cut into slabs, while others we unearthed from the ground to integrate them into the interiors, exteriors, zoning, and landscape. Some we left where they had rested for billions of years. We used local materials and traditional techniques as much as possible. After all, hyperlocality is a new luxury – respect for one’s traditions and nature.

We used natural materials, plenty of them. To reflect the landscape. Clinker bricks helped the house become part of the scenery. There was no fence, and there never will be. No barriers between humans and nature. And then – geoplastics. To elevate the entire complex above the slope. On which we literally "planted" the restaurant. The boulders became part of the interior itself.

Zoning with stone and water

An artificial pond. The stones. Bright fish play in the water. Around are slabs carved from tectonic boulders. It's hard to imagine a better natural divider between the house and the restaurant.

In a contemporary Ukrainian style, the design seems to embrace the landscape. Large panoramic windows – the eyes of the complex – allow one to enjoy the view. Light and the breath of nature fill every corner. At the entrance to the house stands the art object DIDO, a zoomorphic sculpture of a guardian spirit by MAKHNO.

All loved ones are nearby

Several generations of a large, close-knit family. Twelve relatives in total. One house. The layout was designed so that each family had its own autonomous space, yet everyone remained close. So they could spend time together in shared areas. Thus, three separate apartments with individual designs. A spacious living room and kitchen. A fireplace. A vast terrace. A view of the riverbank, the slope, ancient boulders, the sky, and the clouds. And, of course, the restaurant.

"The project intrigued us with its complexity. After all, accepting challenges and transforming them into architectural masterpieces is the DNA of MAKHNO Studio. The task is fully aligned with our philosophy – adhering to the principles of biophilic design, sustainability, the use of natural materials, and the constant pursuit of unconventional ideas.

The solution for integrating the complex into the landscape came to me when I observed a tree on the very slope where we were to build the future TECTON. I realized that the project needed to be 'planted' on the slope, just like that tree. Without disrupting anything. On the contrary, by erasing any boundaries between architecture and nature," shares the project’s lead architect, Oleksandr Makhno.