With current efforts to increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of buildings in the operational phase, the share of embedded energy (EE) and embedded GHG emissions is increasing. In early design stages, chances to influence these factors in a positive way are greatest, but very little and vague information about the future building is available. Therefore, this study introduces a building information modeling (BIM)-based method to analyze the contribution of the main functional parts of buildings to find embedded energy demand and GHG emission reduction potentials. At the same time, a sensitivity analysis shows the variance in results due to the uncertainties inherent in early design to avoid misleadingly precise results. The sensitivity analysis provides guidance to the design team as to where to strategically reduce uncertainties in order to increase precision of the overall results. A case study shows that the variability and sensitivity of the results differ between environmental indicators and construction types (wood or concrete). The case study contribution analysis reveals that the building’s structure is the main contributor of roughly half of total GHG emissions if the main structural material is reinforced concrete. Exchanging reinforced concrete for a wood structure reduces total GHG emissions by 25%, with GHG emissions of the structure contributing 33% and windows 30%. Variability can be reduced systematically by first reducing vagueness in geometrical and technical specifications and subsequently in the amount of interior walls. The study shows how a simplified and fast BIM-based calculation provides valuable guidance in early design stages.

Abstract. The application of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) for the pedestrian flow simulation is a new stage in the development of system simulation, which has become accessible due to the exponential growth of computing power. Authors, together with colleagues from the Beihang University, Beijing, developed a program that allows to solve practical problems connected with emergency evacuation in construction using system simulation based on ANN. Machine learning allows us to precisely simulate the behavior of all people during evacuation, their reaction on obstacles and other people, and predict the load on the main evacuation routes in advance and, as a consequence, make changes to the plans of the buildings, where necessary. With the help of this program architects and designers can find the right solutions for the projects, which will not require any further adjustments, after the building will be constructed. This program is especially important for unique multifunctional facilities, for example, sports stadiums or shopping and entertainment centers, where a real evacuation check cannot be carried out.

Abstract. The main focus of the article is on the quality design and implementation of the thermal insulation of buildings. Shells of buildings consist not only of conventional structures (wall, roof, ceiling), but also of edges, corners, joints and places of disruption of the outer thermal insulation shell integrity (due to through passage of pipelines, ventilation ducts and etc.). In all these places, heat losses are generally increased in comparison with conventional surfaces. Some of them are easily taken into account by calculation, using a special method proposed by the authors. Other thermal bridges due to unfavorable structural details can be avoided by observing the rules and recommendations that are classified and discussed in detail in this article.

The paper discusses the role of a natural landscape in an industrial city, the harmonious interaction of an architectural object and the environment in creating a unified eco-architectural space. The authors focus on the typological aspect of residential architecture development, the feasibility of introducing low-rise complex development in the urban environment, suggesting the use of a morphologically autonomous category of urban villas as a type of residential building. The paper considers the advantages of a sustainable and presently relevant spatial archetype – an atrium – and its inclusion in the structure of a residential building and the eco-technical direction of its use along with separate engineering and technical solutions within the concept of energy saving. As an example, a low-rise residential complex project of an ‘urban apartment villa’ typological structure is considered, with the use of a multi-comfortable house system and the atrium principle of internal space organization in order to create an eco-friendly residential environment in the context of urban development and natural landscape.

The article is devoted to the functional organization of complexes of children’s specialized clinics. It is noted that mental health is one of the main parameters of the population, which largely determines the present and future development of the world community. The main reasons for the growth in the number of mental disorders in the modern world, including those relevant to Russia, are listed. Statistical data, main social-economic and ecological factors, modern requirements and tendencies of development of a network of medical institutions, expediency of their use in approaches for designing of children’s neurological clinics are outlined. The role and contribution of modern architecturally-building practice in process of development of this social sphere and special problems facing designers are emphasized. The authors have considered typological analogues from modern foreign architectural practice. In the analysis, along with the solution of the main technological problems, a unified approach in the organization of both internal and external spatial environments that promotes social, environmental, psychological rehabilitation and healing of patients is proposed. A conceptual model of a children’s psychoneurological clinic, which offers not only the creation of a functionally reasonable, constructive and technologically literate structure, but also the active inclusion of social and recreational spaces and natural components in interaction with the surrounding landscape, is presented. The goal of the project was to create a model of “internal city” in which patients, staff and parents would feel comfortable not only physically but also psychologically.