Housing

The Housing cluster brings together architects, urban planners, engineers, researchers, and builders to address Ukraine's housing crisis. Leveraging Switzerland’s expertise in sustainable construction, advanced digital fabrication, and community-focused planning, and collaborating with innovative Ukrainian practitioners, the cluster balances Ukraine’s immediate needs with its long-term urban regeneration.

Housing as a Cornerstone of Recovery
Housing is a fundamental human right and essential to societal resilience and economic stability. With over 2 million homes destroyed, Ukraine faces unprecedented demand for scalable, sustainable housing. The Housing cluster focuses on four key areas:

Emergency Housing Solutions
Rapidly deployable, cost-efficient modular housing prioritizes speed without compromising livability, providing critical support to displaced families.
Modular and Adaptive Housing Systems
Modular wooden systems offer scalability and adaptability for diverse needs, from single-family units to community housing. These designs integrate cultural and environmental considerations to create cohesive neighborhoods.
Renovation of Vacant Buildings (see: Circular (Re)Construction cluster)
Incorporating circular construction principles, the cluster transforms vacant buildings into functional housing, addressing immediate needs sustainably.
Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Building (see: Capacity Building cluster)
Empowering Ukrainian workers and architects through training and open-source tools, the cluster builds local capacity for self-sufficient housing production.

Achievements
Emergency Housing Production
The Swiss charitable foundation “Verein Ukraine Hilfe”, led by Martin Huber, has successfully delivered over 120 modular wooden housing units across Ukraine, with more than 80 additional units under construction. These homes are produced locally by Divario Ukraine GmbH in Vinnytsia Oblast, using materials and techniques optimized for rapid deployment and durability.

These units include single-family homes and multi-story modular buildings, with configurations ranging from 19m² emergency shelters to 35m² residences. This diversity in housing types exemplifies the cluster’s adaptability to different community needs and site conditions.

Collaborative Training and Local Empowerment (see: Capacity Building cluster)
A cornerstone of the housing cluster’s success is its commitment to training Ukrainian workers and architects. Training programs in Switzerland and Ukraine equip local workers and architects with skills to produce and assemble modular units. The Swiss CAS course Rebuild Ukraine at Bern University of Applied Sciences strengthens knowledge sharing, fostering collaboration between Swiss and Ukrainian professionals. This approach not only enhances local economic resilience but also lays the groundwork for a sustainable, self-sufficient housing industry in Ukraine.

Work in Progress
Urban Integration and Community Prototypes (see: IBA Ukraine cluster)
Pilot projects in the cities of Vinnytsia and Lviv aim to create prototypes of 20–60 modular units integrated into broader urban frameworks. These initiatives showcase modular housing’s potential to form cohesive neighborhoods with public spaces, green areas, and essential infrastructure.

Development of Digital Tools and Open-Source Solutions
Advanced digital tools like parametric scripts and CNC-based fabrication methods enable scalable and efficient housing production tailored to diverse urban layouts. Open-source tools ensure accessibility and adaptability.

Future Plans: Scaling Up and Diversifying Impact
Expansion of Production Capacity
Expanding manufacturing facilities in Ukraine will enhance production and reduce costs, efficiently meeting the growing housing demand.

Enhancing Urban Typologies
New projects will explore urban configurations such as block, ring, and meander layouts, which help to create inclusive, pedestrian-friendly neighbourhoods with green spaces.

Diversification of Modular Application
Modular systems are being adapted for schools, healthcare facilities, and community centers, broadening their impact beyond private housing.

Long-Term Vision for Urban Renewal
The cluster envisions modular construction as central to post-war urban renewal. Collaborating with Ukrainian authorities and communities, the cluster will focus on enhancing transport networks, renewable energy integration, and green infrastructure.

Digital Modular Multi-Family Housing (DMMFH) project
The Digital Modular Multi-Family Housing (DMMFH) project, led by Professors Fabio Gramazio and Matthias Kohler of ETH Zurich in collaboration with Martin Huber of Divario Ukraine GmbH, addresses Ukraine’s housing crisis through sustainable and innovative solutions. Leveraging digital timber planning and fabrication methods, the project develops modular housing systems that are adaptable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly. This project is currently supported by Swiss companies HHM (Hefti Hess Martignoni), Lanz Oensingen AG, Burckhardt Architektur AG, and Halter AG.

The project focuses on creating high-quality housing while reducing the Ukrainian construction sector’s reliance on cast-in-situ concrete, which contributes significantly to global carbon emissions. By using timber—a renewable, low-carbon material—the project promotes sustainability and helps address the widespread destruction of 88.9 million square meters of housing during Russia’s war against Ukraine, the largest loss of housing stock in Europe since World War II.

Advanced parametric design tools enable flexibility and customization, while Augmented Reality (AR) technologies guide workers during on-site assembly, addressing skill shortages and making timber construction accessible. These innovations decouple complexity from cost, allowing smaller industry players to compete effectively while fostering the growth of Ukraine’s timber industry.

Demonstration projects will validate the research, showcasing how modular timber housing can meet urgent needs and foster a sustainable construction culture. The DMMFH project envisions a resilient future for Ukraine’s housing sector, promoting environmental, economic, and social well-being through innovative practices and localized empowerment. It stands as a blueprint for sustainable post-conflict reconstruction.

Collaboration and International Solidarity
The cluster’s work in modular housing is a collaboration between Huber Fenster AG and Uffer AG, the City and Canton of Zurich, and academic institutions such as ETH Zurich. Ukrainian partners, including city planners, administrators, and manufacturers, ensure solutions meet local needs.

Conclusion
The Housing Cluster equips emergency housing solutions with the comfort of permanent housing, and the strength of long-term urban planning. The cluster’s work therefore leverages Swiss expertise to empower Ukrainian stakeholders. By integrating modular housing into broader urban strategies, the cluster is shaping resilient, sustainable communities and demonstrating the transformative potential of collaboration in addressing urgent housing challenges.

Members and Contact
Architects and Urban Designers

Prof Fabio Gramazio, Gramzio Kohler Research, Chair of Digital Fabrication ETH
Xavier Blaringhem, Zurich
Kees Christiaanse, founder of KCAP Architects and Planners and retired professor of architecture and urban design at ETH Zurich and TU Berlin, k.christiaanse@arch.ethz.ch
Oliver Appling Bucklin, Zurich
Anastasiia Stryzhevska, Chair of Digital Fabrication ETH

Industry Partners

Martin Huber, Divario GmbH Ukraine
HHM Gruppe
Lanz Oensingen AG
Burckhardt Architektur AG
Halter AG

Academic Institutions

ETH Zurich: Chair of Architecture and Digital Fabrication, led by Professors Fabio Gramazio and Matthias Kohler

Non-Profit Organizations

Verein Ukraine Hilfe