Support and Reconstruction: ZIKZAK Architects' CEO Alesia Karnaukhova on Moving Forward, Living With Dignity, and Setting an Example
Portrait of Alesia Karnaukhova
By Julia Gamolina
Alesia Karnaukhova is the CEO of the Ukrainian company ZIKZAK Architects. The company, led by Alesia, works successfully all over the world and actively develops despite working in the conditions of war. She is the general director of the commercial interior design team. REVIVAL, a modular school project by ZIKZAK Architects, has attracted considerable interest from the global community and has repeatedly appeared in leading world publications. Alesia loves the work she does and believes that quality interior design can fundamentally impact the quality of life of the people who are in it. In her interview with Julia Gamolina, Alesia talks about continuing operations in a time of war and reconstruction efforts in Ukraine, and provides examples of how those of us abroad can continue to support.
First of all, how are you and your team doing at this time? I know you and your company did not relocate from Kyiv, and you've been managing your projects through an on-going war.
We are adapting to extreme conditions, but our team has strong support. At the beginning of the war, we had to halt our project activities. But soon we forced ourselves to continue living and therefore working. Engaging in our favorite work allows us to stay resilient, refocused, and driven. In addition, the activities of Ukrainian businesses support our country's economy, which is crucial. The war has pushed us to enter the international market and currently, international projects make up the majority of our work. We’ve managed to implement projects in the UAE, Czech Republic, Cyprus, and also to design spaces for businesses in several other countries, including the USA. We have formed strong project teams led by team leaders, as well as mobile groups of female architects who travel to projects outside the country. The world was active and responsive throughout this period. People from all over the world began to turn to Ukrainian companies for cooperation to support us.
My top priority was and is the organization of safe conditions for employees. The war taught us how to work from bomb shelters, during emergency power outages — we can handle anything. We have a united team, mutual support, and a very strong office culture. I planned to celebrate my birthday in the office, which fell on a workday, but since an air raid siren came on, my team and I celebrated it in the bomb shelter. It was still fun — we try to stay optimistic. We consistently plan ahead and have developed alternative work options for the Ukrainian office in case of emergencies, for example, we relocated the entire team to a pre-equipped safe location. We are all eagerly waiting for the victory and the beginning of the reconstruction of Ukraine.
ZIKZAK team brainstorming for a project. Courtesy of ZIKZAK Architects.
ZIKZAK team members in the process of working.
Tell me how your firm started and what you've learned through running your practice — about the world, about architecture, about yourself.
The company was founded before I joined it. The founders had extensive experience in the real estate industry and understood that Ukraine lacked a studio that focused on the business needs of its clients and used design to solve their problems. They decided to create such a company and form a strong team of qualified experts in architecture and interior design to take commercial real estate to a new level of quality.
I have learned that the world can be very cruel, but at the same time, very beautiful, and that life offers countless opportunities. It is worth listening to yourself and pursuing your dreams. When you have a solid sense of self, you have the whole world within you. I have traveled extensively for work throughout my career, and every corner of the world is uniquely beautiful and inspiring. I have discovered that I am truly strong and, with the support of a team and loved ones, I can do anything. Our limits are only in our minds.
What have you also learned in the last six months?
I learned how to make quick decisions because we don't have much time for reflection in the current conditions. I learned to value everything that I have even more: my personal life, work, and team. I learned to make the most out of every moment and truly enjoy simple things, like a cup of morning coffee in silence instead of the dreadful sound of sirens or explosions, hugs with loved ones, and finally having electricity at home — I’m sort of kidding, but it's also true.
“...we forced ourselves to continue living and therefore working. Engaging in our favorite work allows us to stay resilient, refocused, and driven. In addition, the activities of Ukrainian businesses support our country’s economy, which is crucial.”
Looking back at your whole career, what have been the biggest challenges?
Every year there are always new challenges — there was COVID, and now we have the war in our country. The profession toughens you up though, and it’s impossible to toughen up without challenges. We are never in the comfort zone, we always step out of it and work that way. That's why the architectural field in Ukraine is very developed and reaches great heights.
Tell me about any rebuilding efforts that are being planned. How can those of us abroad best support these efforts?
Currently, we are seeking investors to realize the REVIVAL modular school project in places where schools have been destroyed in cities and villages throughout Ukraine. We are interested in supporting efforts for reconstruction and development. One way to support these efforts may be through partnerships with local organizations or participation in government programs aimed at rebuilding and revitalizing affected areas.
As for how people abroad can support these efforts, one option is to establish connections with local organizations or businesses in Ukraine to offer them support or potential opportunities for collaboration. In addition, contributions to humanitarian organizations that provide assistance to those affected by the war also play a significant role in supporting efforts to rebuild Ukraine.
Office design by ZIKZAK Architects.
REVIVAL school. Courtesy of ZikZak Architects.
Who are you admiring now and why?
Of course, I am fascinated by Ukrainians. All of them. These are people who sometimes laugh through tears, who are unbreakable, brave, and caring. People are ready to fight to the last for their freedom and the peaceful life of their loved ones.
If we talk about the field of activity, I am very inspired by Kelly Hoppen and what she has achieved working in interior design. She is an extremely smart, progressive, stylish, and fascinating woman.
What is the impact you’d like to have on the world? What is your core mission?
Glory and influence have never been my primary goals. Since childhood, I have wanted to create something new and help people with my expertise, which is why I became an architect. Now I share my experience and knowledge by overseeing the work of a team that develops great projects around the world. My mission as a professional is to make the spaces we design improve people's lives.
My main mission is to live with dignity, while doing the work I love and providing my son with a decent future and support at any time. Of course, I would like to be an example for others, to inspire, motivate, and help someone find themselves. Speaking of social initiatives, in addition to regular donations to the Ukrainian Armed Forces and charitable contributions, I see myself closely involved in activities aimed at preserving historic buildings, which is a matter that deeply concerns me.
“...keep moving forward. Even when faced with setbacks, pick yourself up and keep going. No one can motivate you as much as you can motivate yourself.”
Finally, what advice do you have for those starting their career? Would your advice be any different for women?
My first piece of advice is to keep moving forward. Even when faced with setbacks, pick yourself up and keep going. No one can motivate you as much as you can motivate yourself. Take on projects, start small, and learn from your own mistakes. Analyze your strengths and weaknesses, focus on your strengths and continuously work on improving your weaknesses. I don't think gender matters here. A strong professional is not just about innate talent, but also about continuous hard work on oneself, whether they are a woman or a man.
Thank you so much for sharing with us Alesia.