The experience of Reifschneider Bureau working with Fix Union

BUDYNOK na VAVYLOVYKH project in Kyiv is an example of an environment where landscape, architecture, and street furniture operate as a unified system. The space is thoughtfully designed not only in terms of aesthetics, but also in terms of use scenarios: movement, rest, and interaction.

A key role here is played by the benches — particularly integrated solutions where trees grow directly through the structure, creating shade and natural comfort. For this project, Fix Union designed and manufactured outdoor furniture, including wooden benches, bicycle parking racks, and bollards, all of which became part of the architectural logic of the space.
 

“This was our first experience working both with the designers from Reifschneider Bureau and with the client, Kovalska. From the moment of approval and throughout the entire implementation process, it was a true triangle of collaborative synergy. Consultations and discussions, drawings and engineering, coordination of details with other contractors — all to ultimately create a comfortable and cohesive space.

This format is extremely valuable to us, as we are not just a furniture supplier; we invest our inspiration into every space we are involved in. And when this is understood and appreciated, it motivates us to do even more,” — Oksana Straz, Development Director at Fix Street Furniture.

Notably, the project received 1st place in the “Residential Complex Implementation” category at the Landscape Congress 2026 — as an example of a holistic approach to environment design.

We spoke about the process, decisions, and the balance between idea and reality with Olena Dzhula-Reifschneider, co-founder of Reifschneider Bureau.

— Reifschneider Bureau has been operating for about 10 years and has an extensive portfolio of completed projects. When selecting a manufacturer for the outdoor furniture at Budynok na Vavylovykh, what was the decisive factor? Why Fix Union?

Fix has a strong and extensive portfolio of completed projects. Therefore, we were confident in the expertise and quality we would receive.

— In projects like this, there is always tension between design, budget, and durability. How challenging was it to maintain a balance between these three factors?

Yes, of course. Due to budget optimization, we had to somewhat optimize the furniture design.

— Materials are always a strategic decision. How did you approach this choice, and did anything change along the way?

We chose thermally modified pine, although initially we were considering thermally modified ash. Again, it came down to budget optimization.
During the process, we adjusted the конструкtion of several benches. Fix explained the specifics of working with thermally modified wood, so we selected alternative конструкtion solutions for the benches.

— What turned out to be the most challenging part of the implementation?

Well, probably the most difficult part was selecting the color for the light benches. Fix made many samples before we found the one we wanted. (laughs, ed.)
Another challenge was installing benches with integrated trees, since the trees had been planted before the installation. (see video, ed.)

— What is the main outcome of this project for you?

We are satisfied that we managed to achieve a cohesive overall vision of the project as intended, that the implementation looks high-quality, and that visitors, while walking through the space, experience positive emotions and enjoy its beauty.

Often in a project there are areas where you simply cannot select and purchase ready-made benches or bins. This is usually because we aim for a very refined aesthetic, and off-the-shelf products rarely meet that level. In such cases, we design custom-made elements. We provide the client with drawings, and they then select a manufacturer. And this is where the risk appears — the risk that the manufacturer will not be able to deliver according to our concept.

Most manufacturers tend to prefer simpler solutions — faster and easier to produce. But with our ‘very-beautiful-design,’ this can be critical and lead to poor results. That’s why we truly value manufacturers who respect our work instead of simplifying it for their own convenience.

A healthy collaboration looks like this: the manufacturer studies our drawings and sketches, develops their own technical solutions based on their production capabilities, and then together we resolve any inconsistencies. We define what is essential for us, while the manufacturer finds ways to optimize production without compromising the design or functionality.

This is exactly the kind of collaboration we experienced with Fix Union from Lviv, who produced many elements for this project. We are grateful for their constant communication and genuine commitment to the shared result. — from Reifschneider Bureau’s social media page