Achievements and challenges of contemporary energy-efficient architecture in Russia

Abstract

The growth in demand for the clean habitation environment and the need for the sustainable energy technologies lead to the development of eco-friendly architecture in the world. Eco-friendly design is beginning to play an important role in the design and construction of civil buildings. The article focuses on topical issues of energy-efficient architecture and environmental design in Russia. Statistics show that the energy-efficient construction sector in Russia is developing at a relatively slow rate, and “green architecture” buildings are not wide spread, eco-friendly architecture in Russia is only on the initial stage of the growth. However, the demand for ecological buildings has a positive trend. The article indicates the main reasons impeding the growth of “green architecture” in Russia: state policy and legislation; consumer attitude; or those linked to specific environmental economic prerequisites. The lack of eco-friendly education among the population and, accordingly, the lack of knowledge of Green architecture benefits are also perceived as a problem by the authors. The authors make recommendations to stimulate the development of “green” architecture in Russia and improve the positions of the country on this issue in the global ranking.