A Thatched Roof House That Blends Ukrainian and Japanese Influences

Looking at the old Japanese houses for inspiration, architect and designer Sergey Makhno came up with a wonderful and unique design for his own family home. One of the driving forces behind this design was a desire to show appreciation for the local culture and heritage. As such, the house is infused with lots of beautiful wall art and items that reference the Ukrainian culture and history. The site on which the house is built is situated South of Kiev, in a region called Kozin. It’s not just the local culture that’s referenced throughout this project but the Japanese one was well, in the form of a beautiful zen garden decorated with lots of sculptural art and vegetation.

The house has a thatched roof which adds a beautiful texture to its design
The house has a thatched roof which adds a beautiful texture to its design
The living areas open onto a beautiful zen garden
The living areas open onto a beautiful zen garden

The house has a thatched roof which became the main focal point of its exterior design. The huge window in the living room stretches all the way up, reaching the roof which appears to have cutouts for each window on the upper floor. Inside, the house is organized on two floors. The living and dining areas are combined into a single long volume which stretches the entire length of the house.

The garden is landscaped and decorated with various sculptures and vegetation that reference the Asian culture
The garden is landscaped and decorated with various sculptures and vegetation that reference the Asian culture
The living room is a double-height space with a very organic decor
The living room is a double-height space with a very organic decor

The living in particular is very interesting because it’s a double-height space. This is where the owners’ large collection of Ukrainian ceramics and pottery is displayed on a series of shelves made of salvaged wood. There’s also a very beautiful and organic-looking fireplace in here as well as an elegant live-edge coffee table.

Local pottery and ceramics are displayed on shelves across the walls of the living room
Local pottery and ceramics are displayed on shelves across the walls of the living room
Oversized pendant lamps serve as focal points in the social areas
Oversized pendant lamps serve as focal points in the social areas
Each bedroom has a unique design. This one features wallpaper designed by the architect himself
Each bedroom has a unique design. This one features wallpaper designed by the architect himself
The master bedroom has a magnificent accent wall decorated with ceramic tiles
The master bedroom has a magnificent accent wall decorated with ceramic tiles
In this bedroom the walls are hand-painted with depictions of birds and vegetation
In this bedroom the walls are hand-painted with depictions of birds and vegetation
The kitchen has an open concept design and is decorated with a dark color palette
The kitchen has an open concept design and is decorated with a dark color palette
Lots of sculptures and paintings by local artists are displayed throughout the house
Lots of sculptures and paintings by local artists are displayed throughout the house
The living room is a colorful space with a very dynamic decor
The living room is a colorful space with a very dynamic decor
The house as a whole is very well rooted in the local culture and has a very authentic look
The house as a whole is very well rooted in the local culture and has a very authentic look
The shelves that hold this amazing collection of ceramics are made of salvaged wood from abandoned structures
The shelves that hold this amazing collection of ceramics are made of salvaged wood from abandoned structures

Photography is by Serhii Kadulin.