VATAHA is proud to be a co-organizer of the aHOUSEforHOME project — an architecture and urbanism lab for displaced Ukrainian teenagers. In a series of playful workshops participants learn about spatial design, and explore the meaning of home in the past, present and future. Inspired by the workshops, several of its participants have gone on to study art and architecture at Dutch universities.
We caught up with Illya Ivakin and Daria Shevchenko, two participants from the 2024 edition of aHOUSEforHOME to hear their personal experiences with last year’s three-month program, and how it gave them the confidence to pursue architecture both academically and professionally.
Who was your mentor or workshop leader?
Illya Ivakin (II): My mentor was Pavlo Gorokhovskyi, and our studio was called “Coherence”. Pavlo taught us about the process of creating a project from a brief to a finished idea. Thus, we felt what it really means to be an architect.
Daria Shevchenko (DS): My tutors were Yana Buchatska, Anastasiia Piven, and Pavlo Gorokhovskyi. We had them all for first few weeks and then we could choose studio of each tutor. I choose studio “From idea to space which inspires” by Anastasiia Piven.
What program are you currently studying, and at which university?
II: I am enrolled in the Architecture and Urban Planning program at Pryazovskyi State Technical University. I began my studies in 2024 and am currently in my first year of the program. Additionally, I have been accepted into the same program at Technical University of Eindhoven, where I will begin studying this September.
DS: Currently, I am doing preparatory year at Royal Academy of Arts in The Hague. This is a one-year program, where you get a lot of opportunities to try and discover different things. For next year I am applying for Interior Architecture and Furniture Design at the same academy.
What about aHOUSEforHOME encouraged you to pursue higher education in arts and architecture?
II: Regardless of my participation in aHOUSEforHOME (aHfH), I was always determined to study architecture. However, the program provided a clearer understanding of the field’s complexity. Many young people dreaming of becoming architects underestimate the scale of this profession. These courses offer foundational knowledge and insights that future professionals will inevitably encounter in their careers.
DS: I already knew that I want to study something related to architecture. It was a pretty new decision for me at that time, so I found aHfH right on time. It definitely gave me much clearer image of architecture and the different studios gave me the understanding that I want to [be involved in] the more creative part of architecture than technical, although the technical base is also important.
Many young people dreaming of becoming architects underestimate the scale of this profession. [aHOUSEforHOME] offers the foundational knowledge that future professionals will inevitably encounter in their careers.
Illya Ivakin
What was your favorite part of the program?
II: Throughout the entire program, we had the opportunity to meet a wide range of architects and experts in the field. These connections allowed us to become part of a larger professional community, which could be invaluable for our future careers. The sense of belonging to this network was one of the most rewarding aspects of the experience.
DS: I would definitely say the people. It was the perfect community of teenagers and professionals, all willing to learn and share. I met a lot of wonderful people who also experienced adaptation in this country, so it was a lovely exchange of experiences and stories. And for the first time in a while I felt that I am where I belong.
What was the most impactful thing you learned from aHOUSEforHOME?
II: The program emphasized the importance of designing spaces not just for function, but also for community and emotional well-being. Understanding how architecture influences people’s lives was a key takeaway for me.
DS: This course was made for teens who are interested in architecture and willing to choose it as a study and future job. So in my opinion, everything what I learned was really impactful cause it led me to study architecture in the future.
What do you think you would be studying if you hadn’t attended aHOUSEforHOME?
II: Architecture has always been my path, so my choice of studies wouldn’t have changed. However, the program broadened my perspective on how architecture intersects with urban development and social impact.
DS: I think I would still like to study architecture, but I would have a lot of doubts about that. But, after attending aHfH, I got a pretty clear image of what I want to do.
After attending aHfH, I got a pretty clear image
Daria Shevchenko
of what I want to do.
Do you have any advice for both parents and teens who are interested in but not yet 100% convinced they should sign up for an upcoming aHOUSEforHOME workshop?
II: If you have even the slightest interest in architecture or urban design, this program is a fantastic starting point. It provides practical experience, professional guidance, and a deeper understanding of how spaces shape our daily lives. For parents, it’s a great way to support their child’s curiosity and possibly help them discover a future career path. Many young people don’t fully realize the complexity of architecture at the start, and this workshop helps them gain essential knowledge before stepping into the profession.
DS: I really appreciate that something like aHfH was made for Ukrainian teens. I was not expecting too much from it, but I was surprised how good it turned out and how life changing was it. We got really cool and professional tutors, who were really open to share and teach. It is an incredible opportunity to learn a lot, get a cool experience and meet new people.
aHOUSEforHOME is a project initiated by Urban Reform, VATAHA and Studio Kitsunya, in collaboration with Nieuwe Instituut, Kade40, Bright Cooperation and Bureau Europa. The 2023 and 2024 editions were supported by the Creative Industries Fund NL.
The team has big plans for the future. We are currently working on two summer schools in the north and the south of the Netherlands. We’re also preparing for three 10-week programs in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Brussels. Finally, we will be inviting Daria, Illya and all the other 2023 and 2024 graduates for a summer reunion during Rotterdam Architecture Month in June.
