The mushroom-shaped roof redefining the Ukrainian rural house
Glass surfaces, natural materials and an iconic mushroom-shaped roof redefine a scenic architecture immersed in the landscape, rethinking the relationship between contemporary design and vernacular memory.
Transforming a historic rural typology into an architecture that is both iconic and disarmingly simple, Under the Reed Roof by Ukrainian studio YOD Group challenges familiar Western aesthetic frameworks. And it is precisely this unexpected perspective that makes the project so compelling. Located on a private estate in central Ukraine, the project consists of a series of guesthouses of about 50 sqm each, reinterpreting the traditional Hata-Mazanka – the Ukrainian peasant house – through local materials, expansive glazing and a distinctive silhouette that becomes an instantly recognizable architectural gesture.
The roofline recalls both the tall traditional hat of Ukrainian culture and the shape of a large mushroom emerging from the ground, turning the building into a striking presence within its natural surroundings.
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Historically conceived as simple structures defined by white plastered walls and steep thatched roofs, Hata-Mazanka houses were more than mere shelters: they embodied a lifestyle deeply connected to nature and craft, forming a broader cultural model and responding to climate conditions and everyday rituals.
This deep understanding of local history and vernacular culture is a foundation for YOD Group, the Ukrainian architecture studio behind the project, whose expertise in hospitality and leisure design allows them to translate tradition into contemporary architectural language. Founded in 2004 by Volodymyr Nepiyvoda and Dmytro Bonesko, the studio has over 21 years of experience, more than 200 completed projects worldwide and over 30 international awards.
As Nepiyvoda explains: “Our philosophy of terroir design goes beyond the use of local materials or familiar forms. It is about discovering the essence of a place and decoding its meanings. We studied the image of the traditional Ukrainian house, distilled its essential features and reinterpreted them through our own lens to create a contemporary architectural object.”
Inside, the layout revolves around a central concrete core that contains the bathroom, with the bedroom and living area positioned on either side, all defined by an essential and understated atmosphere. Here, a minimalist circular fireplace serves as a contemporary reinterpretation of the traditional Ukrainian stove – the heart of domestic life – and defines the space while encouraging relaxation. Materials also echo local tradition, such as the polished stone flooring that extends seamlessly from interior to exterior, reinforcing a sense of spatial continuity.
Furniture and objects – from Noom seating to black clay decorations by Guculiya, along with handcrafted lamps in ceramic and natural fibres – complete an eco-minimalist and tactile interior. A restrained colour palette and textured surfaces help create a calm environment that feels coherent with its surroundings. For additional privacy, automated curtains can be drawn without compromising the outward views.
The dome-shaped roof, reaching 10 metres at its highest point, not only evokes tradition through its interior cladding of small wooden shingles but also integrates all the building’s technical systems, keeping the walls visually clean while ensuring maximum comfort.
It is precisely within this balance between memory and design experimentation that the project finds its most compelling dimension. Under the Reed Roof does not simply reference Ukrainian vernacular architecture; it reinterprets it through a contemporary lens, reusing and transforming traditional materials into a modern architectural language. The thatched roof, wooden surfaces and the use of clay and stone are not mere folkloric gestures, but elements that shape a distinctive living experience.
The result is a retreat-like structure that demonstrates how tradition and innovation can coexist without nostalgia: a house rooted in local culture yet firmly oriented toward the present, capable of transforming a historic rural typology into an iconic space defined by its essential character.
