A Ukrainian company’s project to build shelter space for students during the war with Russia has become the first initiative from the country to win a prestigious international award.
Clust Space has won the Red Dot Design Award in the interior architecture and design category for its shelters at two universities.
Ukrainian entrepreneur and company founder Ruslan Tymofieiev began developing smart shelters for Ukrainian universities in the autumn of 2022. The first was built in Kyiv for students of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, becoming operational in January 2024.
The second was constructed in Dnipro for Oles Honchar Dnipro National University students and opened this February.
“Clust Space is not just a shelter – it’s our innovative response to the war,” Tymofieiev said. “[It’s] a space where students can not only take refuge but also live, study, create and experience quality offline education.
“This award is an opportunity to show the world that we develop powerful, meaningful projects that convey our reality. The Red Dot Award confirms that the world sees our nation’s ability to create beauty, functionality and human-centered inspiration – even during the war.”
The Perek&Partners-designed shelters’ design meets State Emergency Service of Ukraine requirements for university shelters, with rooms for workshops and practical classes, meeting spaces, sports and relaxation zones. The power, water, lighting and ventilation systems operate autonomously, unaffected by scheduled blackouts.
The construction avoids materials that could pose risks in emergencies, with armoured film on glass surfaces that prevents shattering upon impact or explosion.
The project is supported by partners including Freedom Finance Corp, Lenovo, Usyk Foundation and the Свічадо charitable foundation.
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