Zorya Eco-Educational Public Centre In Stryi

Project idea

Project Declaration
The Zorya Eco-Educational Public Centre in Stryi shall be an active civic centre that transforms an unused space into a hub of nature-oriented education, cultural heritage, and eco-innovation. The center will serve local families, pupils, artisans, and eco-entrepreneurs, bridging traditional Ukrainian culture with eco-technologies—thereby a living laboratory for green building, renewable power, and community life.

Idea & Concept

Core Vision:
Revitalization of existing ruins (or empty lot) into a landmark structure that embodies Ukrainian vernacular architecture ("Zorya" identity) and demonstrates evidence of sustainable technologies such as solar panels, green roof, passive cooling, and hydroponics. Workshops, exhibitions, and interactive exhibits will enhance experiential learning and allow experimentation of eco-practices.

Target Users & Activities:

-Educational Programs: Practical workshops (permaculture, rainwater harvesting, hydroponics, solar energy) and monthly public talks or film screenings on climate resilience, biodiversity, and sustainable city living.
-Cultural Preservation: Permanent or rotational displays of local craftsmanship and building techniques (wood joinery, traditional masonry, folk ornamentation); annual "Heritage Week" with live demonstrations by master craftsmen.
-Community & Economic Activation: Adaptive zoning "makerspace" leases for as many as 15 local start-ups, NGOs, and artist collectives; bi-weekly "Open Days" where building systems and green installations are uncovered; and a weekly "Green Market" for farmers, beekeepers, and artisans.

Context & Background

-Geographical/Climatic Context:
Located on the edge of Stryi’s historic core, the site benefits from nearby cultural landmarks and natural green spaces (parks, river corridor). Local climate—warm summers, cold winters, ample sunlight—guides integrated strategies like passive courtyard ventilation, solar shading devices, and green-roof insulation.

-Cultural/Historical Context:
Stryi’s legacy of wooden architecture, craft guilds, and multi-generational farming underscores the need to preserve vernacular heritage. The name “Zorya” (meaning “dawn” or “star” in Ukrainian folklore) symbolizes both cultural continuity and a new era of community revitalization.

-Social/Economic Context:
Post-industrial transformations have placed many young families and artisans in search of sustainable economic tactics. The Centre will work with local schools and universities, guilds of craftspeople, and government agencies to share educational resources, bring traditional practices to light, and promote eco-entrepreneurship.

Goals & Objectives

1. Environmental Education & Awareness

-Conduct 12 hands-on workshops per year (e.g., urban permaculture, hydroponics, solar systems).
-Host 4 annual public lectures or movie screenings for a minimum of 200 visitors each.
-Launch a digital "Green Learning Platform" within Year 2, with virtual tours and interactive environmental modules for local schools.

2. Cultural Preservation

-Show 10 traditional crafts and vernacular building techniques through permanent or rotating exhibitions.
-Cooperate each year on a "Heritage Week" of live artisan demonstrations and market stalls.
-Employ locally derived materials (reclaimed bricks, salvaged timber, earth plaster) for at least 50% of interior finishes, showcased in a "Materials Lab."

3. Sustainable Technologies

-Generate 30% of the centre's energy on-site within two years using photovoltaics, micro wind turbines, and solar-thermal collectors.
-Achieve a 25% reduction in cooling energy using a passive courtyard ventilation strategy.
-Include a hydroponic demonstration module producing up to 100 kg of leafy greens per month for educations and café sale.

4. Community Engagement & Economic Vitality

-Provide workspace for up to 15 local start-ups, NGOs, and artist collectives on tiered, nominal rents.
-Host bi-monthly "Open Days" (free building tours, live demonstrations) with a minimum of 500 community members per year.
-Operate a weekly "Green Market" on the ground-floor plaza, donating at least 20% of vendor profits to future community projects.

Project description

The Zorya Eco-Educational Public Centre is a three-story green building in Stryi which replaces an old residential building with a multifunctional public building. It contains:

-Basement Shelter for 50 persons, in accordance with wartime safety requirements.
-Ground Floor: Commercial rental space, public toilets, and a "Materials & Systems Lab" of green building innovations.
-Second Floor: Multipurpose hall, classrooms for environmental workshops, and exhibition area.
-Third Floor: Private and co-working spaces for community groups, eco-startups, and NGOs.
-Rooftop: Vertical hydroponic farm (100 kg/month), green roof, and recreation space.

The building has CLT structure, solar panels, green roofs, ground-source heat pump, and passive cooling through a central courtyard. It has rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, and energy-efficient systems to meet at least 30% of on-site energy needs.

The project adheres to the RFP by offering:

-Public and educational spaces
-Low-energy, sustainable architecture
-Economic and community activation
-Full accessibility and civil defense refuge

Zorya is a brilliant example which unifies cultural heritage, green innovation, and community resilience.

Technical information

1. The Site & Building Basics

We’re talking 600 square meters for the whole plot. Out of that, the building itself covers 200 m², leaving a pretty generous 400 m² for greenery, gardens, or just hanging out. The building? Three floors on top of a basement/shelter, all together about 600 m² of actual usable space.

2. Structure – What’s Holding This Thing Up?

Main frame’s made of CLT – that’s cross-laminated timber, so you get wood vibes but way sturdier. Basement and shelter? Poured like a fortress with chunky (350 mm!) reinforced concrete. Roof’s CLT too, but topped off with a green roof and solar panels, because why not. Inside, it’s timber stud walls, finished nice with gypsum board and earthy plaster.

3. Envelope – Insulation & Windows

Walls? Super insulated, U-value of 0.18 or better. Roof’s even tighter at 0.15. Windows are beefy: triple-glazed on the sunniest sides, double elsewhere. It’s sealed up tight too, with barely any air sneaking in or out (n₅₀ ≤ 1.0).

4. Energy – How’s It Powered?

Solar everywhere—35 kW on the roof and some on the façade. Hot water comes from 8 m² of solar thermal panels. They’re aiming for at least 30% of the building’s annual energy to come from renewables. For heating/cooling: ground-source heat pump (think: magic straws poked 80 meters into the earth), mechanical ventilation with 85% heat recovery, and some smart passive cooling using the central courtyard. They’re chopping at least 25% off the usual cooling bill, too.

5. Water Stuff

Rainwater gets caught and stashed in a 10,000-liter tank underground, then reused for plants, hydroponics, and flushing toilets. Greywater? Filtered with sand and zapped with UV, up to 1,000 liters a day recycled. Blackwater (the nasty stuff) hooks up to the city’s MBR system, so all good on that front.

6. Civil Defense Shelter

Room for 50 people if things go sideways. Air’s filtered, there’s a separate emergency loo, first aid, thick concrete walls, and its own vent system. Exits are secure, fire-rated to EI 60 (that’s an hour before anything gives in).

7. Accessibility & Safety

There’s a 630 kg elevator hitting every floor, and all the restrooms are accessible. Ramps never get too steep (1:12 max), and corridors are nice and wide (at least 1.2 meters).
8. Fire Safety

Wood bits are treated up to Euroclass B (so they don’t light up easy), stairs and exits are fire-resistant for at least an hour (EI 60), you’ve got two separate stairs, and all the escape routes are lit up for emergencies.

9. Landscape & Outdoor Goodies

The green roof’s about 150 m², with proper raised beds, so you could actually grow stuff. There’s a 6 m² hydroponic farm—impressive, considering it churns out up to 100 kg a month. Courtyard’s got bioretention planters, spots to sit, and native plants. Paving in the plaza is permeable and uses recycled materials, because, you know, eco vibes.

10. Materials

Structure is all CLT, sourced locally. Finishes? Reclaimed brick, earth plaster, mineral wool insulation. Outside cladding’s vertical larch battens with a natural oil finish—looks sharp. Floors: concrete on the ground level, engineered oak upstairs, and porcelain tiles for wet areas.

Documentation

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