Ukrainian Institute of Physics and Technology (UIPT)

Revitalization of the NCC KIPT' site 

The Ukrainian Institute of Physics and Technology (UIPT): museum and cultural complex

The so-called "Old Site" of the National Science Center of Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology (NCC KIPT) on the Gudanova street, 13 is a history and science monument, historical and cultural landscape. 

The main buildings were erected in the 1928-the 1930s in the style of constructivism and have survived without significant alterations until now.

 Within its walls, there were significant events for Ukrainian science and culture took place. The world-famous school of theoretical physics was established; world-famous physicists (Niels Bohr, Lev Landau) used to work there; and many scientific discoveries were made

The territory of the complex covering ​​4.5 hectares (the so-called Old Site) is an integral historical and cultural landscape. Its park with main alleys connecting 5 buildings is preserved unaltered from the 1930s to the present day.

Today, the site is in a state of neglect, and its buildings and laboratories have lost their utilitarian purposes (in the 1960s the most equipment was transferred to a new complex of KIPT in Pyatyhatki).

In 2008 the National Science Center of Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology has opened the office-museum of Lev Landau, in 2018, in collaboration with the Tourist Center "Oberig-tour", there were organized excursions to building #1 (the place where the nuclear fission experiment was conducted). Moreover, for a long time, NCC KIPT is considering the possibility of opening a modern museum and cultural complex.

The staff of NCC KIPT together with the specialists of the Scientific and Methodological Center for the Development of Museum and Monument Studies developed a project of the Old Site revitalization. It is aimed to create an innovative cultural and educational center with a hub, coworking, and a museum.

Given the historical, memorial, the scientific and cultural value of this place, on December 17, 2019, the Academic Council of NCC KIPT decided to open the Science Museum in the National Research Center "Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology."

Revitalization of the Old Site is a part of this project, called "UIPT: Museum and Cultural Complex." This project is supported by the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

Olena Zhukova