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Since its inception, the Center for Innovation (CFI) has championed the mission ofmaking innovative solutions accessible across the architecture, engineering,and construction (AEC) industry. Known for pushing boundaries and fosteringcollaboration, CFI’s work has always focused on impact—and in 2020, that impacttook a global turn.
As Ukraine faced the pressing need to rebuild essential community infrastructure,CFI connected with Dobrobat—anorganization that focuses on the urgent restoration of housing and socialinfrastructure in war-affected regions. In 2023, the two organizationsco-hosted the first reconstruction conference in Kyiv, led by Ukrainians.
In January 2024, CFI invited ten Ukrainian professionals to join a newly formedcommunity practice. The goal: to share ideas and explore how AEC innovationscould support Ukraine’s long-term recovery.
As part of this effort, CFI introduced the Ukrainian team to the Center forIntegrated Facility Energy (CIFE) at Stanford University to discuss newIntegrated Project Delivery (IPD) methods. From their conversations, a clearpriority emerged—rebuilding the State Tax University (STU), a key educationalinstitution in the city of Irpin.
In response, the STU International Architectural Competition was launched, callingon designers and engineers to envision a bold future for the university campus.The competition attracted submissions from firms around the world, all eager tocontribute to Ukraine’s recovery through design excellence.
The winner: global design and engineering firm Stantec, whose visionary proposalstood out for its innovation and commitment to community-driven design.
The reconstruction of STU will serve as a blueprint for innovation-driven recoveryas well as generational change in design and construction.
CFI is proud to be a catalyst in this transformative process and looks forward towatching the project come to life—not only as a symbol of recovery but as atestament to the power of innovation and collaboration.
In January 2024, with the assistance of the US State Department, Office of Global Partnerships, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and numerous donors, CFI hosted a delegation of Ukrainian government officials and design and construction experts to the San Francisco Bay Area. Participants in the Study Trip committed to participating in the trip as a “community of practice” signing agreements to continue to work together to begin planning for a sustainable, Ukrainian led reconstruction process, even as the war continues.
While in the San Francisco Bay Area, the delegation met with leading researchers at UC Berkeley, Stanford University and NASA; visited transformational projects like the UCSF Health’s new hospital project; Presidio Trust, Factory O/S, and more. Technical experts and media partners listed below, facilitated an exchange of ideas and expertise that will pave the way for reconstruction success.
Upon their return to Ukraine, the Ukrainian Community of Practice identified key projects for collaboration:
1. International design competition to redesign State Tax University (STU) in Irpin.
Badly damaged at the start of the war, the main campus administration building was destroyed. The University Rector and Ministry of Finance requested a competition that was announced in December 2024. An international jury, including the campus architects of Stanford University, UC Berkeley, and the Ukrainian Minister of Finance, Sergii Marchenko, will choose a winning entry in Spring, 2025. The goal of the competition is to create a 21st century university campus to elevate and encourage students to enter public service. It is anticipated that the winning design will be executed fully, or in collaboration with a Ukrainian design firm.
2. Upskill Ukrainian professionals in “Virtual Design and Construction.”
Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) uses multidisciplinary digital models to create a virtual project prior to construction, facilitating better project planning and management, including improved scheduling, budget, and cost estimations. In collaboration with Stanford University’s Center for Integrated Facilities Engineering, CFI has organized a class for Ukrainian builders and architects to learn VDC. Set to launch in Spring, 2025, 40 Ukrainians will begin an online class (which may shift to an “in person class”) in Ukraine.
3. Build capacity at Dobrobat’s training centers.
Dobrobat has 50,000 volunteers who repair war-damaged homes, schools and hospitals throughout Ukraine. The need for volunteers is large and recent social media campaigns recruiting women to volunteer has resulted in an increase of untrained people who seek to learn basic construction techniques. The center in Kharkiv has limited capacity and there is a desire to build a training center in Kyiv, possibly with a focus on training women and war veterans. These training centers serve as an opportunity to expand skills and to offer job training.
4. Upskill Ukrainian government officials in advanced design and construction techniques.
To prepare for large scale reconstruction, Ukrainian government officials (local, state and government) need to understand the basics of digital design to adapt building codes and permitting. Working with the Ukrainian Ministry’s Office of Digital transformation, CFI has created a one-day course for officials. Originally scheduled for October, 2024, the Ministry requested that the classes be offered in Kyiv in April-May 2025.
