About
Darya Akhrameika (born 1997, Minsk, Belarus) is an architectural designer and researcher. She graduated from the Architecture College in Minsk and later from the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam.
Darya now works from Amsterdam on architectural design and research projects. She sees her practice as a spatial storytelling: researching the stories hidden in built environments and tracing how political or cultural shifts imprint themselves on everyday spaces. She translates these findings into illustrations, small architectural forms, scenography and exhibition design.
She works as a “realistic dreamer,” combining conceptual thinking with practical making, and is committed to precision at every stage. Materials play an important role in her process: she is drawn to what is already present, and often finds clarity and beauty in modest or overlooked material choices.
Since 2023, Darya has also been working as an architectural designer and project lead for Studio Polylester, founded by dutch artist Gabriel Lester. Within the framework of the studio she is actively involved in large-scale projects, including public art, installations, and museum scenography.
Previous work in Belarus:
Between 2019 and 2021, she founded and led Dadalog, an online magazine for art and culture in Minsk, Belarus. The platform grew into one of the key voices for contemporary art in the country, publishing printed issues, hosting public events, and producing a podcast series. With a large and active young audience, it became a growing community and place for open discussion.
The project eventually closed in 2021 as censorship and pressure on the cultural field intensified. Although the team was never directly targeted, the atmosphere made honest work increasingly impossible. The experience continues to shape how she thinks about responsibility, integrity, and the kinds of cultural spaces we choose to build.
Education & Residencies
April-September 2024
Art Management School
Art Power Belarus x European Union
2019-2023
BA Architectural Design
Gerrit Rietveld Academie, Amsterdam, NL
2014-2018
BA Architecture
State College of Architecture, Minsk, BY
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July-August 2025
Reclaiming Post-Industrial Futures Residency
Drobeta Turnu-Severin, Romania
November 2024-March 2025
Belarusian Identity Artistic Research Labarotory - Online residency
ARSIF (Artistic Research and Social Innovation Foundation)
Publications
2025
Stuck between politics and walls. A walk in Piedruja–Druja
FOLD, essay/illustration
Together with Danute Līva
2025
Piedruja-Druja
Latvijas Architektūra, essay/illustration
Together with Danute Līva
Group Exhibitions
2025 - There Is No River Without Sources, PAKD Gallery, Berlin, DE
2024 - Canopy, Amsterdam Art Wek, Amsterdam, NL
2023 - Rooting Point, Mission of Democratic Belarus, Brussels, BE
2021 - Home is not a house, Dutch Design Week, Eindhoven, NL
2020 - Shapes of Play, Dutch Design Week, Eindhoven, NL
2019 - Moon Gallery, Milan Design Week, Eindhoven, NL
2018 - Polatsk Light Festival, Polatsk, BY
Studio Experience & Comissions
September 2023 - now
Lead Architectural Designer (part-time)
Studio Polylester, Amsterdam, NL
2024
Kanaalpark Beacons in Dijk en Waard, NL
Architectural Design Comission
Comissioner: Richard Niessen and Municipality of Dijk en Waard
2024
“Palace of Typographic Monastery” by Richard Niessen
Exhibition Design Comission
Comissioner: Museum Angewandte Kunst, Frankfurt, DE
May 2022 - April 2023
Junior Architectural Designer
Nachtlab Agency, Amsterdam, NL
2023
ZKH-ART
Book Design Comission
Publication by Yana Khazanovich
2019
Interior Design Intern
Bricks Studio, Amsterdam, NL
2019 - 2021
Founder & Art Director
Dadalog magazine, Minsk, BY
2020
“Art of Resistance”
Exhibition Design Comission
Comissioner: Arti et Amicitiae, Amsterdam, NL
2018
This is simple
Public Art Sculpture “Art of Resistance”
Comissioner: Polatsk Light Festival, BY