THE PALACE OF LABOUR IN KHARKIV: ARCHITECTURAL TRANSFORMATIONS AND APPROACHES TO POST-WAR RECONSTRUCTION

The article addresses the challenges and prospects of preserving architectural heritage in wartime conditions by examining the case of the Palace of Labour in Kharkiv, a significant urban and architectural landmark severely damaged during the 2022 military aggression. The building, situated in the historic Constitution Square, has served multiple functions throughout its existence—from income-generating residential housing to a commercial and administrative center—embodying the ideological and functional shifts in the city’s evolution from the pre-revolutionary period to Soviet industrialization and into the contemporary era of Ukrainian urban development. Through the identification and analysis of the building's major transformation stages, the study explores how stylistic features—ranging from Art Nouveau to Neoclassicism and early Constructivism—are integrated into its volume-spatial structure. These characteristics are considered not only in terms of architectural aesthetics but also as reflections of sociocultural and urban dynamics. The Palace of Labour is examined as a key architectural dominant within the spatial composition of central Kharkiv, influencing both the visual identity and functional logic of the urban environment. The research emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in heritage conservation that takes into account urban planning context, architectural value, structural condition, and socio-economic potential. The article outlines both general and specific factors that justify the building’s restoration, including the preservation of historical urban continuity, the potential for adaptive reuse, and the enhancement of civic identity through sustained heritage. Recommendations for future functional repurposing are also presented, including the revitalization of interior commercial spaces and the potential introduction of new public amenities. This publication forms the first part of a comprehensive research project. The subsequent article will focus on a more detailed architectural and stylistic analysis, with particular attention to the planning composition, volume articulation, and decorative solutions of the Palace of Labour, aiming to inform the development of a restoration strategy that ensures both historical accuracy and modern functionality.