It is often said that the "4 Blocks" in Kyiv’s Podil district are a textbook classic — one of the finest examples of socialist postmodernism in Ukraine. These residential buildings were designed by a team of architects led by Yurii Shalatskyi, which is why they are now commonly referred to as the Shalatskyi Blocks.
The project emerged as a bold response to the crisis of monotonous Soviet modernism. It was an ambitious experiment: an attempt to introduce terraced housing with jagged geometry, curved balconies, and intricate silhouettes, breaking away from standard rectangular "shoe boxes". The assembly-line construction of grey, repetitive structures and soul-destroying residential estates had run its course.
The buildings were constructed from brick on solid concrete foundations, allowing for a rich variety of lines, fluid forms, soaring arches, and more.
While writing my previous post, I realised just how drastically all the various additions and alterations made by residents over time distort and ruin the architect’s original vision. So, I decided that a black-and-white filter might help tone down these unfortunate eyesores, if only a little.
These photos aren’t perfect as they were taken on a phone, but I love the idea.
See you soon, hopefully
