HROMADA

Helwan University in Zamalek, Department of Architecture of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Cairo

Project idea

Hromada Eco-Educational Public Center – Stryi, Ukraine
The Hromada Eco-Educational Public Center is envisioned as a resilient, inclusive civic building that supports environmental education, public gathering, and post-war regeneration. Rooted in the Ukrainian concept of hromada—meaning community and shared purpose—the project creates a new space for learning, dialogue, and social healing.

Designed as a prototype for sustainable public architecture, the building fuses vernacular heritage with modern technologies: transparent photovoltaic glazing, green roofs, rainwater harvesting systems, and adaptive interiors that host educational, cultural, and environmental programs.

The architectural massing is shaped by climate orientation, community needs, and urban alignment—producing a space that is both technically efficient and emotionally grounded. It stands as a symbol of unity and forward-thinking, offering the people of Stryi not just a building, but a shared future.

Project description

The Eco-Educational Public Center is designed as a compact, layered building that serves as a community engine — a place where learning, sustainability, and daily life intersect. Located in the heart of Stryi, the project turns a modest 600 m² urban site into a multi-functional, energy-conscious hub that adapts to the needs of the people.

The building is organized into five functional layers:
Basement (Zero Floor)
A reinforced, below-ground shelter for air-raid safety, also used for storage and building systems.

Ground Floor
A mix of small, locally operated shops and administration spaces. These commercial units generate income to support the center while drawing in daily activity from the street.

First Floor
Flexible rooms for community use — workshops, youth groups, educational sessions, and local events. Spaces are designed to transform and adapt to different group sizes and programs.

Second Floor
Quiet, focused spaces for NGOs, environmental start-ups, and civic organizations. These workspaces encourage collaboration and long-term impact.

Roof
A publicly accessible green roof — part garden, part classroom, part peaceful retreat. It offers hands-on learning about food, ecology, and renewable energy.

Around the building, the landscape is treated as an extension of the educational mission: planted wetlands manage rainwater, native gardens support biodiversity, and seating areas welcome informal gatherings.

Passive solar orientation, transparent PV glazing, natural ventilation, and rainwater systems are embedded in the design — not as add-ons, but as the foundation of how the building lives and breathes.

This is not just a building — it’s a living system built for a community that’s rebuilding itself.

More than just a public facility, the project is a space where education, resilience, and everyday life intersect—a living prototype for post-war community architecture.

Technical information

Project Type: Eco-Educational Public Center (New Construction)
Location: Ivan Pavla II Street, Stryi, Ukraine
Site Area: ~600 m²
Building Footprint: ~200 m²
Total Floors: 3 above ground + 1 basement
Maximum Building Height: 12 m
Structure: Reinforced concrete frame with eco-material infill
Envelope: High-insulation walls with transparent photovoltaic glazing
Roof: Flat green roof with solar panels and garden zones

Accessibility:
– Elevator from ground to roof
– Accessible bathroom and entrances
– Infant care zone on ground floor

Sustainability Features
Solar Panels:
– 54 transparent PV panels
– ~300 W per panel
– Estimated output: 16,283 kWh/year

Energy Consumption:
– Estimated use: ~43.4 kWh/day
– Annual: ~15,842 kWh
– Net energy-positive building

Water Systems:
– Rainwater harvesting system (rooftop collection)
– Greywater purification (from sinks to toilets/gardens)

geothermal heat PUMPs:
Heating capacity: 15 kW
COP (efficiency): Typically 3–5 for Ukrainian soils
Handles both heating and domestic hot water, with inverter technology

Materials
Structure: RC frame

Façade: Local limestone accents + glass/PV glazing

Insulation: Natural fiber or high-efficiency rigid insulation

Interiors: Timber finishes, recycled materials, acoustic treatment in public areas

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