Abstract
Ukraine faces an immense reconstruction challenge following Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24th,
2022. The scale of destruction has left more than 13% of the country’s housing stock damaged or destroyed and
over 2.5 million households have been affected. The total rebuilding cost is estimated to exceed NOK 5.8 trillion.1
Beyond the human and cultural loss, the war has left behind vast quantities of materials in the ruins which
have a potential for reuse and reintegration into the built environment.
In this thesis we explore how remnants of war can be reclaimed and reused in the rebuilding efforts, guided
by principles of circular economy and urban mining. We propose a flexible construction system that combines
reused materials from ruins with locally produced supplementary materials. The aim is to maximize reuse,
reduce carbon emissions and built up local circular economy systems. The system is designed to adapt to
varying material availability, addressing the structural, architectural and emotional aspects of rebuilding after
war.
Our design approach draws from both practical necessity and cultural sensitivity. Through fieldwork in Ukraine, we
were confronted with the emotional weight that reused materials can carry. This started a reflection on how
architecture can help mediate between trauma and recovery. We believe materials can act as silent witnesses,
holding the memory of what once was, while contributing to an architectural language rooted in resilience.
We apply this approach to three pilot typologies, serving as test cases to evaluate both the technical feasibility,
architectural potential and emotional balance of material reuse. Through the pilot in the city of Irpin, we explore how
reused materials can be combined with new materials to avoid overwhelming visual and emotional weight. The
balance between reuse and renewal becomes central to the creation of living environments that respect both the
cultural memory of place and the needs of the present community. By integrating reused components with new,
locally sourced materials, the project off ers a proposal for local production to contribute meaningfully to recovery.
Ultimately, we argue that material reuse in post-war reconstruction is not only a sustainable strategy, but
also a means of embedding memory and resilience into the rebuilding process. We propose that architecture
can become a tool for collective storytelling and cultural continuity.
The project is divided into four folders, where each build upon the previous.
01 Introduction defines the scope of the project, placing it in a context and a specific place.
02 Material Catalogue explores and categorizes materials found in ruins, and their potential for reuse.
03 Pilot Typologies uses the findings from the material catalogue, and applies the reused materials in three different pilot typologies.
04 Reflections are our thoughts and reflections from working with this project. The folder also includes an appendix
