Experience in the Organisation of Design and Construction Work in the Religious Architecture of Slobozhanshchyna

In developing the sacred component of modern cities of Ukraine, new problems arise that go beyond the traditional understanding of church architecture as purely parochial and create numerous searches for solutions. Foremost, it concerns the functional expansion and activation of the role of church architecture in modern large-scale urban planning conditions. In the city, where predominantly chaotic interpretation of the urbanised space has returned, there are no other means of overcoming the crisis of new uniformity than turning to the complex development of similar-scale sacred structures. Such an understanding of urban problems requires the development of a new typology of sacred complexes and centres for their solution. No centralised construction organisation existed in Slobidska Ukraina in the 17th or 18th centuries. Professional architectural education in Slobozhanshchyna appeared in 1768 with the creation of additional classes at the Kharkiv Collegium, which produced architects P. A. Yaroslavskyi, S. P. Chernyshov, and others. With the introduction of the Kharkiv Provincial Government on December 12, 1796, Yaroslavskyi became the first Kharkiv provincial architect. He designed and supervised the construction of dozens of churches in the province. Gradually, the provincial authorities took over architectural and construction control and design. The Construction Department that emerged in the province in 1865 became the central institution that monitored the construction and acceptance of projects of places of worship for which the provincial engineer was in charge. The creation of controlling and regulatory institutions and the increased professionalism of architects made it possible to establish the organisation of design and construction work. In 1863, the position of diocesan architect emerged. The first to hold this position was the architect Kraievskyi, followed by F. I. Danylov (1865–1885). Each author had a concept of creativity and a thorough knowledge of architectural typology and theory. High professionalism stemmed from an excellent architectural education and knowledge of the basics of architectural craftsmanship, including expertise in architectural structures and forms drawn from regional Ukrainian traditions. The architect exercised constant control over all churches under construction, which allowed churches to be built precisely according to the project and meet the specified deadlines. The study found that architects had to follow the established rules, or their projects would not receive consideration. The Construction Department of the Kharkiv Provincial Government, responsible for overseeing the construction of churches, headed by the provincial engineer, strictly monitored the documentation of the building. The study reveals aspects of design and construction in the religious architecture of Slobozhanshchyna and presents the methods of design and construction work. The article discusses several architects engaged in design and construction work in Slobozhanshchyna and the functions of architectural and construction control and design. It provides examples of explanatory notes to the projects of religious buildings. The considered aspects of design and construction make it possible to assert that all these design and construction work methods aimed at creating highly sophisticated religious buildings. Keywords: design and construction work, religious buildings, architectural and construction control, explanatory note.