Back to the roots—in art and design, we are increasingly witnessing solutions that embrace cultural heritage and folk art. They flow as an eternal truth in the stream of modernity, always reminding new generations that connecting the present with the past is like drinking clear water when we are thirsty. One might think that this is just another fashion craze, but it’s worth noting that perhaps never before has it been so important to preserve our values as it is today —especially when it comes to Ukraine.
The word “isto” in Slavic means essence. It is the name of the Ukrainian architectural firm that has brought together Ukraine’s most important cultural elements and blending them together in an interior. Founded in 2013, ISTO Architecture and Design Studio has completed more than 160 designs and two offices (in Kyiv and Dubai) and is now working on a truly unique project. The studio’s characteristic creative approach is represented this time as well, taking us back to the very beginning—introducing the “Roots” project.
Our roots distinguish us from others, forming a uniqueness in our identity. Wherever life takes you in the world, your roots will always ground you. It’s this belief that inspired ISTO’s ground-breaking “Roots”, a conceptual apartment the central idea of which is based on people and crafts that have shaped Ukraine for centuries. Head of Architects Bogdan Kostelnyi and designer Kateryna Volokh created their concept by researching the history of the ancestors. The project does not have a specific location, it can be conceived in any part of the world, but the concept philosophy remains the same. The same parallels can be drawn with people: no matter where you are, your roots will speak for you—in this case, Ukrainian polonyna, poppy, Shchedryk, vyshyvanka, Shevchenko, Lysenko, and Kostenko carry a strong sense of identity beyond nostalgia.
But let’s move on to planning!
In the apartment’s futuristic bedroom, a black rock structure with a texture reminiscent of coal creates an unusual backdrop to the bed. Ukraine’s 34.4-billion-ton coal reserve is the biggest in Europe, providing one of the country’s most valuable industries. And painted earthenware from ancient Trypillian culture, reminiscent of poppies, embellishes the apartment’s unique curved living room wall.
The unusual focal point in the center of the dressing room is a vast rocket engine, symbolizing the birth of practical cosmonautics by the Ukrainian scientist and engineer, Serhii Korolev.
Playing with both visuals and sound, Carol of the Bells rings out from a vinyl record player in the bedroom. The creator of the song is the Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych, who wrote the music as a symbol of the New Year for the world.
Above the dining table in the living room is a chandelier inspired by the invention of “electricity used for the movement of railway trains with current supply” by Ukrainian engineer Fedir Pirotskyi. A year after his invention, the first tram was launched in Berlin, according to the scientist’s plan. The wall and floor in the dining area are covered in wool, representing the origins of the ancient industry of Ukrainian sheep breeding. Wool is the most valuable sheep product, used to manufacture traditional clothing such as Hutsul wool coats, as well as carpets and blankets.
Finally, in the bathroom, stunning abstract shapes framing the sink represent manganese and copper ores, while a stone block behind the bath resembles salt crystals. Ukraine preserves a leading position in the deposits of these minerals in the Ukrainian Donbas and in the South part of the country.
In today’s rapidly evolving world, the “Roots” apartment serves as a reminder to step back, appreciate your self-identity, and remember where your roots stem from.
ISTO Architecture | Web | Facebook | Instagram
Source: Press release
Serbian Nikola Jokic reaches the top of the NBA
Restored altarpiece, urban festival, and archived internet | Europa Nostra winners in the Region
