Hlibivka Sustainable Complex

The Hlibivka Sustainable Complex is an architectural research project that reimagines buildings as living systems that function like nature itself. Developed in 2021 for a picturesque site near Kyiv Sea, this comprehensive design study demonstrates how structures can be fully autonomous while actively benefiting their environment.

The core innovation is buildings on stilts that touch the ground only at pile points—less than 5% of the footprint. This radical non-intervention allows the landscape to continue functioning beneath the structures. Light tunnels even channel daylight to plants growing under the buildings, creating a continuous green carpet regardless of building placement.

Energy autonomy comes from integrated renewables: 18m² solar panels generating 3kW, wind turbines adding 10-15kW, and 30-40kWh battery storage providing triple the daily needs. The distinctive sloped roof maximizes solar gain while its light color reflects heat. All systems are architecturally expressed—visible pipes, collectors, and turbines make the building's ecological functions legible.

Water independence eliminates the need for wells or municipal supply. The design harvests all water from rainfall across 110m² of collection surfaces, storing 30-35m³—a three-month supply. Advanced filtration (mechanical, carbon, UV, reverse osmosis) produces drinking-quality water. Greywater recycling via Hydraloop systems recaptures 50% of water, while composting toilets use 90% less water than conventional systems.

The building envelope achieves passive house standards (15-35 kWh/m²/year) through hemp-lime insulation 50-60cm thick in walls and 60-70cm in roofs. Natural materials—hemp, lime, timber—create healthy interiors while sequestering carbon. The compact form optimizes the surface-to-volume ratio, while strategic orientation and shading prevent summer overheating.

The educational mission is central: glass walls expose the 'life support module' containing batteries, heat pumps, water systems, and filters. Information displays explain climate data and the building's regenerative principles. The complex becomes a demonstration of how humanity can build as part of ecosystems rather than in opposition to them.

This research project was developed by architect Semen Polomanyi in collaboration with initiator Sergii Dumyk as a response to the climate crisis. It proves that radical sustainability and high comfort are not contradictory—they're the foundation for architecture's future role in planetary regeneration.