location: Kyiv, ukraine
total area: 243,38 m²
year: 2025
Located in central Kyiv, hub.4308 serves as a synergistic platform connecting veterans of the 12th "Azov" Brigade, the civilian community, and local businesses. The space integrates a retail store and a café that doubles as a lecture hall, with a design language centered on accessibility and contextual respect. It was envisioned as a vital touchpoint for veterans, active military personnel, and civilians united in their support of the armed forces.
hub.4308
(01) commercial
The Between the Walls team implemented a comprehensive approach to inclusive interior design. A long ramp ensures barrier-free entry, while the main entrance features sliding doors rather than traditional swing doors for ease of movement. Every corridor and transition complies with wheelchair accessibility standards. Notably, all shelving and tables in the shop were designed with specific height considerations; while this choice is subtle to the eye, it is fundamentally important, ensuring all items are within comfortable reach for people of all ages and physical abilities.

The retail area includes a lowered checkout counter for accessible service, as well as a fully inclusive restroom and fitting room. To further enhance the space, the team is currently consulting with specialized organizations to install navigation tactile signage for the visually impaired. Crucially, most of these accessibility features were driven by the design team’s own initiative rather than formal mandates.
The aesthetic concept is rooted in a sense of intimacy and the use of natural materials. Walls finished in dark wood evoke a warm, welcoming vibe, while stainless steel panels in the café area introduce a rhythmic play of light. The lighting was developed in partnership with Expolight, a world-renowned Ukrainian firm specializing in full-cycle lighting solutions.
Sustainability and history are woven into the floorplan. Vintage terracotta tiles sourced from the secondary market enhance the space's organic texture. The team also preserved the original anodized aluminum storefront frames and salvaged porcelain tiles from Zeus, a Ukrainian manufacturer whose facility was tragically destroyed in 2022. All furniture, including chairs, armchairs, and sofas, is vintage or repurposed, reflecting a commitment to conscious, circular design.
A wide service counter serves as a visual anchor between the shop and the café, while unified finishes tie the two zones together. The retail area is designed to transform into a lecture hall equipped with a screen and seating, pushing hub.4308 beyond the boundaries of a traditional commercial space.

Influenced by the British tradition of "restrained elitism," the project prioritizes character, proportion, and a sense of history. The interior balances a focused, masculine energy with domestic warmth, modern in form, yet timeless in spirit.
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