Cubic Building | ArchObraz | Dnepro, Ukraine

Seamless Integration of Modernity and History

Located in the heart of Dnepro, Cubic Building by ArchObraz reflects the city's transformation — a delicate balance between heritage and modern progress. Created by Oleksiy Obraztsov and his team, this 2500 square meter project is not just a new building but an architectural dialogue between past and present.

With its refined cubic geometry, minimalist language, and contextual sensitivity, the building emerges as a symbol of Dnepro's changing identity, integrating contemporary design into the historical urban environment while preserving the city’s architectural legacy.

Architectural Philosophy: Dialogue Between Past and Future

The core idea behind the Cubic Building is to honor Dnepro's architectural memory, while looking toward a future defined by clarity, structure, and community. Its 20-meter cubic volume harmoniously fits into the historical scale of its surroundings. The 20 by 20 meter façade features precisely calculated window openings that reflect the rhythm and diversity of neighboring historical buildings.

Maintaining a clean, orthogonal silhouette, the project achieves timeless simplicity, blending local tradition with modernist restraint. The load-bearing walls were left intentionally empty for future urban expansion, demonstrating foresight and adaptability in a developing urban context.

Multi-functional First Floor for Urban Interaction

The first floor of the Cubic Building serves as an active urban interface, thoughtfully designed to enhance social engagement and pedestrian activity. A wide sidewalk wraps around the perimeter, integrating organized parking, walking paths, and green zones in line with urban design standards.

The main façade opens toward a potential summer terrace café, intended as a vibrant public space connecting architecture with daily urban life. This blend of functional and social layers reflects ArchObraz’s broader commitment to human-centered architecture — spaces that invite interaction, comfort, and continuity.

Materials: Creating Contrast for Connection

The choice of materials plays a key role in harmonizing relationships between old and new. The façade of the Cubic Building is clad in dark brown brick, which complements the white silicate brick of neighboring Soviet-era residential buildings.

This material dialogue enhances the building’s contextual sensitivity — its darker tone visually strengthens it, while subtle variations in brickwork add texture and shadow. The architectural language pays tribute to Dnepro's industrial past, referencing traditional red clay walls found throughout the city but reinterpreting them in a minimalist contemporary style.

Architecture During Conflict

The Cubic Building was completed during one of the most turbulent periods in modern Ukrainian history — the start of Russian invasion in 2022. Despite challenges, the project became a symbol of resilience for Dnepro residents.

During frequent power outages, stairwells became vital movement spaces and social connectors between floors. In this context, ArchObraz brought art into everyday life: the stairwells were adorned with illustrations from Andriy Vorokhlia's book 26 Samov and one blue kitten. These artworks transformed moments of necessity into reflections — uplifting morale and turning architecture into a canvas of hope.

Symbology and Urban Identity

Beyond its physical form, the Cubic Building is a metaphor for resilience and renewal in Dnepro. Its geometric clarity reflects stability, while functional adaptability symbolizes the city's forward-looking spirit. Every architectural decision — from modular proportions to tactile brick surfaces — reflects respect for continuity, context, and community.

Through deliberate restraint and carefully composed design, ArchObraz shows that contemporary architecture can coexist with history — not through imitation but through interpretation. The Cubic Building becomes a story of transformation, embodying the essence of modern Ukrainian architecture: practical, poetic, and deeply human.

Conclusion

The Cubic Building by ArchObraz encapsulates the architectural journey of modern Ukraine — a blend of precision, resilience, and optimism. It not only redefines how new architecture interacts with historical settings but also becomes a symbol of Dnepro’s cultural strength in challenging times.

Through simplicity, proportions, and integrity, the Cubic Building confirms that architecture can heal, connect, and inspire, even in times of uncertainty.

Photo by Andriy AvdeenkoPhoto by Andriy AvdeenkoPhoto by Andriy AvdeenkoPhoto by Andriy AvdeenkoPhoto by Andriy AvdeenkoPhoto by Andriy AvdeenkoPhoto by Andriy AvdeenkoPhoto by Andriy AvdeenkoPhoto by Andriy AvdeenkoPhoto by Andriy AvdeenkoPhoto by Andriy AvdeenkoPhoto by Andriy AvdeenkoPhoto by Andriy AvdeenkoPhoto by Andriy AvdeenkoPhoto by Andriy AvdeenkoPhoto by Andriy AvdeenkoPhoto by Andriy AvdeenkoPhoto by Andriy AvdeenkoPhoto by Andriy AvdeenkoPhoto by Andriy AvdeenkoPhoto by Andriy AvdeenkoPhoto by Andriy AvdeenkoPhoto by Andriy Avdeenko