"Вестник МГСУ"

Historic events associated with the location of Volgograd State University of Architecture
and Civil Engineering, peculiarities of its architectural and planning solutions, urban planning solutions
implemented in the initial plan of the town of Tsaritsyn, approved by the Russian Emperor
in 1820, are considered in the article. Attributes of buildings and structures adjacent to the buildings
of the future University in the period of formation of Eletskaya, Kashirskaya, Dubovskaya, and
Kolomenskaya streets are demonstrated by the authors.
The authors provide information concerning the institutions and organizations accommodated
in the building formerly owned by merchant Shlykov (Building A of Volgograd State University of
Architecture and Civil Engineering) in the period between the completion of its construction and
1952, when the Institute of Engineers of Municipal Economy was founded. They included a nonclassical
secondary school, a teacher training seminary, Stalingrad Exemplary Teacher Training
College and College of Utility Providers.
Photographs of buildings and structures constructed next to the building of the future University
of Architecture and Civil Engineering are provided. The authors also cover the problem of destruction
of multiple buildings in the Voroshilov district during the battle of Stalingrad. Architects and
authors of projects designated for the restructuring of existing and construction of new buildings of
the University in 1940-1990 are enlisted in the article.

The subject matter of the article represents a summarized analysis of the geometrography of
a fragment of St. Isaac Cathedral, namely, the fragments that include surfaces of its domes. Their
detailed analysis has also required an overview of the properties of astroids and other elliptical multiplicities
limited by their relation to the spherical surface.
Further, the authors provide sample models of three types of domes, including circular, elliptical
and cone-shaped domes. The authors provide sketches and sample surface models of domes
and their descriptions. The authors also provide their explanation of the astroid origin and planimetric
properties of elliptical multiplicities under consideration, as well as interrelations between them,
if they are positioned on the spherical surface.
The information provided in the article and recommendations developed by the authors may
be used in the design of dome-shaped fragments of pieces of architecture.

The article briefly describes the types of structures that are widely spread worldwide, and
many well-known projects that remain unimplemented. Particular attention is driven to the main
features of floating structures and areas of their application.
Despite the advances of the present-day technology, floating structures are only used in the
travel industry and low-rise construction. The authors consider a substantial though yet unexplored
potential of rivers, seas and lakes, as well as the benefits of their use. In their examples, they consider
the past and present operation patterns employed by water-borne structures. The authors
believe in a pressing need for a timely transition to new water spaces in the context of planned
development of territories.
In this article, the authors also consider the typology of various floating structures developed
by architect A. Nekrasov. They analyze "floating hotels", as well as construction and regulatory
requirements that apply to them. They also describe public "marinas" and other areas that may
demonstrate typical features of a parking area. The attention is focused on the global experience of
design and conceptual design of floating structures.
Today, floating structures are interesting solely from the viewpoint of entertainment and traveling.
However, development of these facilities will be necessary and realistic in the near future. The
demographic situation is rapidly changing worldwide, while environmental conditions are deteriorating.
These are the new factors of importance to the humankind. It is necessary to remember about
it today to avoid serious consequences in the future.

The climatic zone that has hot summers and cold winters is the most populated and economically
developed area of China. Therefore, responses to the power consumption growth within the
construction industry require the assessment of the energy conservation potential and the use of
daylight for the purposes of illumination of premises of office buildings.
In the article, the authors analyze the annual energy consumption pattern based on varying office fenestration patterns in the hot summer/cold winter zone. A pilot office module was developed and
a series of building energy consumption simulation sessions were completed on the basis of varied
fenestration parameters. A substantial portion of electric lighting can be saved by switching off the
electric light in response to the available daylight. The extent to which the daylight may reduce the
energy consumption rate depends primarily on the visible transmittance and dimensions of windows.

Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities were adopted
in 1993 by the United Nations. They have been valid since then. The number of disabled and
elderly people is ever growing due to injuries, accidents, environmental problems, deterioration of
health, population aging and demographic disorders.
The term "universal habitat" reads as "universal design" worldwide. The concept of "universal
design" was developed by Ronald Mace, American architect, in the 80ies of the twentieth century.
The idea was picked up in Japan and several European countries, especially in product design and
architecture.
Universal design is a logical development of principles of the barrier-free environment. Universal
design emerged in the late 20th century. The universal design is friendly in respect of all people
without restriction. The article describes basic principles of universal design, including its equitable
use, flexibility in use, simplicity and intuitive nature, perceptivity, low physical effort, size and space.

The problem of the shadowing effect produced by surrounding buildings onto the premises
of civil buildings that have natural overhead lighting systems is under consideration. The authors
demonstrate the need to take account of this effect in the course of illumination design according to
the construction legislation. The authors also project the efficiency improvement of new designs of
advanced overhead lighting elements.
The authors have also compiled an overview of the present-day status quo in the design of
natural lighting systems that incorporate overhead lighting elements, including roof monitors and
skylights used in modern urban design. Due to the need for maximal fl oor space, public buildings
(supermarkets, restaurants, entertainment centres, etc.), being restricted in height by specific urban
conditions, have to go underground - either entirely, or with only a few stories above the ground
level. This trend drives attention to overhead lighting systems as the only source of natural lighting
of the interior premises. Hence, the authors insist on the relevant need to elaborate a new approach
to the calculation of the daylight factor values in the premises that have overhead lighting systems
with account for shading and reflecting effects of surrounding buildings.

The article deals with the problems that accompany reconstruction of multifunctional medical
facilities (MMF). This subject is highly relevant in Russia, as the majority of these institutions need
modernization and refurbishment. There is a need to develop an optimal algorithm of reconstruction
design development and to identify the factors that affect the formation of space-planning solutions
associated with the reconstruction.
The first step of the algorithm may be the analysis of the current condition of the facility, or the
medical technological survey (MTS). Its objective is to obtain the data concerning the structure of
the facility: its realistic unit structure, its occupied work areas, specialization of its units, exact names
and location of all rooms, regular staffing. The second step is the formation of medical technological
objectives (MTO). At this step, the post-reconstruction structure of the medical facility may be
determined, including the identification of the main functional zones, qualitative and quantitative
characteristics and types of basic technological and engineering items of equipment to be installed
there. An integral part of the MTO is the programme of useful floor area of the MMF. This document
is to enlist all premises of the facility, including their normative dimensions. This programme may
be used to find out the preliminary total area of the construction facility. The next step is formation of space-planning solutions. As an example, the authors describe the reconstruction of the
N.N. Blokhin Cancer Research Centre in Moscow. Based on the research performed by the authors,
the following factors affecting the formation of space planning solutions are identified:
1. Deficiency of useful space in the existing functional units of the MMF, determined on the
basis of the MTO.
2. Need for the future development of the MMF identified jointly with the management of the
health facility and based on the analysis of the situation and identification of top-priority development
objectives.
3. Functional zoning of the MMF.
4. Size, shape and topography of the territory to be restructured.
5. Alternative urban planning solutions for consideration.
6. Regulatory requirements applicable to the design of medical facilities.

Part 2 of the article has a brief overview of the real estate market in Bulgaria and projections
concerning future investments into urban development projects. The author considers design and
development of business centres, business parks, multi-purpose centres, high-rise buildings and
residential housing. In 2000 - late 2008, the pace of construction was very fast, and it caused
negative compromises in the construction industry. Due to the hotel boom, the Black Sea coast now
accommodates numerous high-density hotel buildings. At the same time, residential housing build
in the early 20th century needs urgent restructuring. The construction sector experiences enormous
pressure, as major projects initiated in 2007 and 2008 are now suspended as a consequence of the
fi nancial crisis. The author believes that recovery actions shall include tax holidays for purchasers of
fl ats, extended loan reimbursement periods, and reduction of state and municipal tax rates payable
by construction companies.

The authors consider problems of optimum height (or length) of light wells in multi-storey
industrial buildings in the hot and sunny climate of southeast China. The researches were based
on the multi-component data analysis that included the analysis of dimensions of light wells in plan
view, analysis of natural light that they delivered and the time period of the use of the artificial light in
the workrooms of the above industrial buildings. Conclusions were made concerning the efficiency
of light wells in the upper and pre-upper storeys of similar industrial buildings.
Particular attention must be driven to the quality of the internal microclimate, which accrues
importance in the extreme weather conditions like hot and sunny climates. In the course of multiple
years, the problem of development and maintenance of the favourable indoor environment has
been the subject of research performed by the leading experts in building physics. The researches
concerning hot climates are mainly based on the research of the lighting, thermal and insulation
conditions in the said premises and development of architectural and structural concepts and solutions
aimed to improve these conditions.