PROJECT "ICEBREAKER"
Maximum comfort and safety in extreme times
Unique 600 m² house
This is not just a home — this is a cruiser of calm, hidden among millennia-old forest, where the history of Kyiv meets the architecture of the future. Every millimeter of space is created for living: a doomsday bunker, safe room, autonomy for 120 days, solar Kyiv brick, and orientation by the cross of the Lavra — everything speaks not of fashion, but of lineage and strength. If you sought a dwelling with meaning — you have found it.
Third Dominant of Kyiv
History
In the photo: the eminent historian and statesman Mykhailo Hrushevsky having lunch right across.
This house is located where the history of Kyiv began. Here the city originated, its culture and heritage were formed. The Hillfort.
The history of Kyiv is closely tied to the Old Kyiv Hillfort, considered one of the most ancient fortifications of the city. This place was inhabited once in the VI–IX centuries, and according to legend, Prince Kyi founded Kyiv here.
The Hillfort occupied a strategic position on Old Kyiv Hill, offering natural protection from attacks. Archaeological excavations show that there were dwellings, religious sites, and defensive fortifications.
Over time, Kyiv expanded, and the centre moved to Podil, where crafts and trade developed. But the Old Kyiv Hillfort remains a key point in Kyiv’s founding history.
The Hillfort occupied a strategic position on Old Kyiv Hill, offering natural protection from attacks. Archaeological excavations show that there were dwellings, religious sites, and defensive fortifications.
Over time, Kyiv expanded, and the centre moved to Podil, where crafts and trade developed. But the Old Kyiv Hillfort remains a key point in Kyiv’s founding history.
- The name "Hillfort" comes from ancient fortified settlements, enclosed by ramparts and wooden structures.
- The first written mention of the Hillfort dates to 1468 in the Lithuanian Metric.
- In 1559, the Hillfort became a township with a market permit, boosting its economic development.
- In 1757 a Church of St. Dmytro was built in the Hillfort, preserving ancient prints and metrical books from 1810.
- In 1911 the Hillfort had 790 residents. In 1923 a school was opened, teaching in Polish.
- Legend says the name “Hillfort” originated from the phrase “Gorody shche!” (“More walls yet!”) used by warriors defending fortifications.
Location
The highest point of the Holosiivskyi Forest. The third dominant of Kyiv. Incredible nature, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Motherland Monument, a 24/7 panorama of the entire city. Without exaggeration.
- Holosiivskyi Forest is the lungs of Kyiv and a place of rare plants.
- Since 1541 the territory belonged to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and has reserved / protected status.
- During WWII, the forest was part of Kyiv’s defensive line.
- From 1955–1958 the VDNH was built.
- Now you can see centuries-old oak trees, some 400 years old with trunk circumferences of 4.5 meters.
- Kytaiv is a historic locality in the southern part of Holosiivskyi Forest, known for the Kytaiv Monastery. According to legend, monks used caves there for solitude and prayer. In the 18th century the monastery became an important spiritual center of the Kyiv region.
- The Hillfort is an archaeological site located near Kytaiv. It is believed that there was a settlement there in the times of Kyivan Rus’. Remains of fortifications attest to its defensive significance.
- In the Korchuvatyy area there are remains of Trypillian culture settlements; on Lysiya Hora one finds traces of Scythian settlements. Also numerous burials of the Zarubyntsi culture have been discovered in this region.
Holosiivski Forest
Concept
The “Icebreaker” project — the main features: reliability, resilience, and durability. Created by the grandson of a prominent architect.
400 m² the house itself + 200 m² of shelter and technical rooms.
400 m² the house itself + 200 m² of shelter and technical rooms.
“Carmine red” — this color was historically used for painting the façade of the most popular university in Ukraine, Taras Shevchenko University.
Київський національний університет ім. Тараса Шевченка
Creation
It all started with three plots and a big idea. The story of the house was respectfully preserved and rethought. In 2012 there was to be an ultra-residence, designed according to the canons of Christian architecture: without sharp corners, a round form like Yin-Yang, precise orientation by the cross — north-south, east-west. In 2021 the idea became reality.
This house is built according to the highest safety standards. Fortress-level protection.
- At the time the foundation was poured, there was a queue of mixers with concrete stretching 2 km.
- Monolithic construction. Reinforced concrete used everywhere.
- Brick walls 50 cm thick for maximum protection. Floor/ceiling slabs – 30 cm reinforced concrete, adding stability. Integrated shelter – 1 m reinforced concrete structure inside the house.
- Authentic Kyiv solar brick was used — a unique material with deep roots in the city’s history.
Kyiv Sun Brick
- It was made from spondyl clay, which ensured its strength and moisture resistance.
- This brick was popular in the 19th–20th centuries, especially during Kyiv’s period of rapid development.
- Production of sun brick stopped almost 100 years ago, but it has recently begun to be revived.
- There were about 40 large brick factories in Kyiv that produced this material.
- Well-known Kyiv brick manufacturers included Zaitsev, Snizhko, Richert, and Berner, who owned their own factories.
- Some bricks bear Masonic symbols, Maltese crosses, and the trident, which adds to their historical value.
- The revival of sun brick production has become relevant due to the destruction of historic buildings during the war.
- Kyiv brick has a unique color that varies depending on the composition of the clay and the firing method.
- In Kyiv, there are collectors who gather old bricks and study their history.
- Notable buildings constructed from it include: the Kyiv Fortress, the House of Apothecary Frommet, and KPI (Kyiv Polytechnic Institute).
The house is zoned so that everyone has their own private access and entry point.
- Very convenient if you have children / assistants / staff.
- Separate entrance for unloading groceries, materials.
- Two separate kitchens designed with respect to dietary / religious requirements (processing of food). On different floors + separate BBQ kitchen in the inner courtyard.
- 6 bathrooms, laundry room, study, separate bedrooms, large kitchen-living room.
- Separate storeroom or guardhouse of 15 m².
Main Floor (First Floor)
We are greeted by a large open space: kitchen-living area with an incredible panoramic view of the city.
We are greeted by a large open space: kitchen-living area with an incredible panoramic view of the city.
Massive 4.5 m² table carved from a single piece of oak over 300 years old.
German flooring with a 25-year guarantee. Natural wood.
German kitchen with 25-year guarantee. Natural wood.
Handcrafted TULIKIVI stove. 10 tons. Three sleeping spots. Thermal accumulator lasting 30 hours (Finland).
Second Floor
Sleeping zone.
Sleeping zone.
Bedroom with an incredible view.
A separate large room which can be adapted to personal needs.
Separate bathrooms.
TULIKIVI stove (Finland).
Underground Floor (−1 Floor)
A separate house inside the house.
A separate house inside the house.
This is the underground shelter floor. Full functionality for everyday safe living, learning, and life.
This floor is entirely underground, providing the feeling of peace and absolute safety.
Walls: 50 cm reinforced concrete / 50 cm cinder block.
Within: 2 bathrooms, 2 bedrooms, a study, and a kitchen. For rest: sauna HUUM. Designed as a comfortable living space that also functions as a full-fledged shelter in times of emergency.
This floor includes the first Oval office in Ukraine!
−2 Floor
Doomsday bunker.
Doomsday bunker.
A separately built bunker that meets the highest standards of anti-radiation protection. Its equipment includes:
- Hermetic door for absolute sealing.
- Water tank and autonomous power supply (power banks).
- Ventilation system with filtration.
- Food and water supplies for 3 months.
Walls: 1 meter of reinforced concrete.
−3 Floor
Panic / Safe room.
Panic / Safe room.
A unique room for extreme situations, designed to protect what is most valuable: family, valuables, documents. A specially isolated space for the most extreme and unforeseeable scenarios.
Safe room for the most precious!
- No drywall used anywhere in this project. Reinforced concrete, ceramic block, stainless steel, brass, wood, leather. All natural materials. There are no suspended ceilings or visible wiring.
- Boiler on every level (3 units) + a 50 kW solid-fuel boiler that works with any fuel. Also a manual pump for when nothing electric works.
- Stove on each level (3 units). A 10-ton stove with sleeping places. Thermal accumulator (30-hour endurance, Finland). During construction, the hands of the Ukrainian guild of stove-makers were involved. DOVRE cast iron stove – Norway. TULIKIVI – modern thermal-accumulating fireplace stove combining traditions of old furnaces with modern technology. Made from natural stone that retains heat for long and distributes it evenly.
- Hot water heated by 4 boilers + water filtration. 200-liter accumulating tank.
- Fine water purification system — total of 4 filters.
- Total power capacity 50 kW.
- Industrial Wi-Fi UBUNTU.
- Cinema/auditory audio system — suitable for concerts.
- Space allocated for solar panels of 30 kW.
- Generator for full autonomy.
- The house can operate completely without electricity.
- Automatic blinds on all windows; armored windows.
- Full security system AJAX; 14 cameras.
- This house is a fortress. No possibility of external penetration.
Technologies
Resources
The house is prepared for any conditions:
- 3,000 liters of technical water + rainwater harvesting for use or irrigation, and 3,000 liters of drinking water with reliable protection from external interference.
- 1,000 liters of gasoline and a 10 kW power bank guarantee energy independence.
- Heating? No questions: 130 cubic meters of oak firewood and 7.5 tons of coal ensure heating for at least half a year.
- Reserves of drinking water and provisions for 120 days of autonomous life.
- Propane / liquefied gas reserve for 6 months.
Recreation
Own basketball/volleyball court, which can easily be converted into a pool. BBQ area on the grounds. HUUM sauna inside the house.
Holosiivskyi Forest 4,000 hectares of land — all yours: bicycles, running, hiking, baths (купелі), and many other entertainments. Also nearby the Golosiiv Ski Park resort.
15 min by car to the city centre.
30 min on foot to VDNH.
30 min on foot to Pyrohiv.
Holosiivskyi Forest 4,000 hectares of land — all yours: bicycles, running, hiking, baths (купелі), and many other entertainments. Also nearby the Golosiiv Ski Park resort.
15 min by car to the city centre.
30 min on foot to VDNH.
30 min on foot to Pyrohiv.
