URBAN AND ARCHITECTURAL CONCEPT

The complex urban context has determined the composition of the church, designed as a heptagonal polygon in plan, crowned with a 14-segment dome — a symbolic reference to the Star of Bethlehem from the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

This star has fourteen rays, corresponding to the genealogy of Jesus Christ:

“So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.” (Matthew 1:1–17)

“The Star of Bethlehem that appeared to the Wise Men and led them to the birthplace of the Savior was evidently not a natural phenomenon but a miraculous one — having fulfilled its divine purpose, it disappeared from the sky.”

The church building, designed for 200 worshippers, is oriented east–west, with the apse facing east. The main entrance is from Sknylivska Street, and a perimeter walkway is provided around the church. The building is set back 10 meters from the red line, in accordance with item 9.1 of DBN B.2.2-12:2019. From Riashivska (projected) Street, the setback is 6 meters, as this side is not intended for main pedestrian access and is planned to be richly landscaped to buffer the traffic.

The prospective development is composed to preserve key views and visual corridors toward the designed church, maintaining the visual axis between two landmark public buildings — the church and the basketball arena. Along this axis, a pedestrian boulevard is planned, forming a public space that will seamlessly connect to the courtyards of future residential buildings.

The monolithic form of the church is conceived as both a spiritual and compositional dominant within the surrounding multi-story development. The main church hall is connected to the chapel and bell tower.

A naturally lit classroom is designed at the choir loft level above the chapel, with an additional emergency exit via the bell tower stairs.

The chapel, bell tower, and classroom volumes may be constructed as an independent first stage, while the main church body can be realized in a subsequent phase.

In the underground level, a refectory and shelter are designed, along with restrooms, including those accessible for people with limited mobility (PLM). Stairs from the underground level lead directly outside, with an additional tunnel exit provided beyond the potential collapse zone. An elevator platform ensures accessibility for people with limited mobility to both the choir loft and basement levels.

STRUCTURAL SOLUTIONS

Underground part: reinforced concrete walls, columns, and foundations according to geological conditions; reinforced concrete slab above the shelter — fire resistance REI 180.

Above-ground part: reinforced concrete frame, brick walls insulated with mineral wool panels, finished with ceramic granite or sandstone cladding.

The roof is a metal structure with mineral wool insulation and polymer-coated metal sheet covering.

The inner dome, slabs, beams, and panels are made of cross-laminated timber (CLT) or reinforced concrete.

Crosses are made of stainless steel, finished with gold leaf gilding.