Therapeutic Garden “Creator of the Year 2026” Award

The Therapeutic Garden at VDNG (the Expocenter of Ukraine) in Kyiv opened in October 2025 as a barrier-free public space designed to support the mental health and reintegration of war veterans, service members, and civilians affected by the war, blending horticultural, physical, and art therapy with quiet reflection zones, adaptive sports areas, and a children's playground. The initiative was led by Ukraine's Ministry of Veterans Affairs in partnership with VDNG, developed under the National Strategy for a Barrier-Free Environment championed by First Lady Olena Zelenska, with the design authored by Big City Lab and PUPA. The project has since drawn international recognition in the landscape architecture world: it was shortlisted for the European Prize for Urban Public Space among a 25-strong field of finalists, and it was also named among Ukrainian projects shortlisted for the World Architecture Festival 2026. Photos: Big City Lab