BRUK · Cultural Platform
Since 2025
Kyiv’s history,
coming alive.
A living archive of Kyiv
Kyiv · 2026
facadesbalconiesstaircasesroofscourtyardsstoneplasterwindowsarchesmemory
facadesbalconiesstaircasesroofscourtyardsstoneplasterwindowsarchesmemory
01 · The problem
The Kyiv that was kept silent
for generations.
For decades, Kyiv’s history was distorted, smoothed over or reduced to a handful of famous names. Archives burned, old townhouses were torn down, and nobody ever told the story of the courtyards where families lived for generations.
Photo: Yehor Litsov
Photo: Nataliia Kvitovska
Photo: Anastasiya Chervinska
Photo: Oksana Savinova
Photo: Nataliia Blazhko
Photo: Yanny Mishchuk
Photo: Eugenia Pan’kiv02 · The solution
The city becomes the interface.
BRUK is an interactive map of Kyiv where every highlighted building opens up its story: when it was built, who lived there, what it remembers and why it is still standing.
Not an encyclopedia. Not a guidebook. A living archive that wakes up at your touch.
Join us
We’re looking for volunteers
to build this together.
Developers, history researchers, copywriters, photographers, architects: if Kyiv matters to you, we’ll find something to work on together.
Message us on Instagram →03 · The map
In your pocket, like a compass.
01
Open the map
A 3D map of central Kyiv loads in seconds.
02
Tap a building
Only buildings with verified stories are highlighted.
03
Discover its story
9:41
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No. 001 · Khreshchatyk
Onufrii Holovynskyi’s estate
1797 · early Classicism / Empire
One of the first landmark buildings on Khreshchatyk and, in effect, the beginning of what would become Kyiv’s main street. Back then Khreshchatyk was not yet a city boulevard but a half-empty valley between the historic parts of town. Holovynskyi built a two-storey palace-like house here in the early Classicist / Empire style.
ClassicismEmpire1797
Read the story →
04 · The archive
Hundreds of facades —
one city.
01Photo: Kato Blackmore
02Photo: Anastasiya Chervinska
03Photo: Maksym Tymchyk
04Photo: Oksana Savinova
05Photo: Yanny Mishchuk
06Photo: Eugene Chystiakov
07Photo: Ilona Purdes
08Photo: Eugenia Pan’kiv
09Photo: Nataliia Blazhko
10Photo: Nataliia Kvitovska
11Photo: Yehor Litsov
05 · Values
We stand on cobblestones.
I
Openness
II
Respect for memory
III
Learning that isn’t boring
IV
Small stories matter
V
A new Ukrainian vision