Principle ofВ independence
Artem Zurabyan
Millions of people need capital housing. Housing is the most expensive basic necessity, but it is not available to everyone. Housing is needed for people who have survived earthquakes, floods, and simply for the poor, who cannot afford the comfort of modern apartments. This book shows how, by applying the principle of independence, in an unusual, revolutionary way, it is possible to increase by about thirty percent the volume of construction of capital housing with thesame resources.
Principle ofВ independence
Artem Zurabyan
© Artem Zurabyan, 2022
ISBNВ 978-5-0059-4451-1
Created with Ridero smart publishing system
Table ofВ contents
(English Translation)
1.В INTRODUCTION
AВ large part ofВ the population ofВ many countries inВ the world needs comfortable housing, but not everyone inВ the cities can afford individual houses and large apartments inВ luxury multistory frame buildings, so the main capital housing are multistory large-panel buildings. They are built mostly on relatively cheap plots ofВ land or on plots provided practically for free. InВ these conditions, the cost ofВ the construction ofВ the building significantly affects the cost ofВ apartments, so the task ofВ construction is toВ reduce the cost ofВ mass houses, which would make housing available toВ aВ wider range ofВ people. These requirements are met byВ multistory large-panel and volumetric block construction. Despite the considerable success ofВ such construction, housing is still an expensive basic necessity.
InВ many countries there are at best about twenty-five square meters ofВ living space per capita, while inВ European countries and the United States ofВ America it is about forty five toВ sixty five square meters. Thus the housing stock should be doubled inВ order toВ achieve an acceptable level. At the same time, given the climatic conditions, the cost ofВ land and structures, toВ abandon multistory building is unlikely. And if so, on the contrary, high-rise construction is moving toВ high-rise construction. This trend has been observed recently inВ many countries. Thus, the task ofВ significantly reducing the cost ofВ construction ofВ high-rise buildings remains relevant.
For centuries it has been customary for all houses toВ be built inВ Cartesian coordinate system. The main methods ofВ mass construction such as large-panel, volumetric-block and frame construction are based on Cartesian coordinates. At the same time, frame construction is considered toВ be more expensive.
It has always been assumed that Cartesian coordinates allow creating the most inexpensive method ofВ construction ofВ capital housing. But is this true? It turns out that for high-rise housing is not quite so. It is possible toВ create aВ different system ofВ industrial high-rise housing construction where the cost ofВ housing will be significantly lower compared toВ even the most inexpensive panel or volumetric block houses. It can be achieved if toВ refuse from Cartesian coordinates and toВ assume that it is possible toВ create non-linear laws ofВ building structure formation which will be even more economical. We call this system В«LotusВ». It changes our idea ofВ affordable mass housing, and creates new forms ofВ living space.
Architectural solutions for this change is described in more detail in the book, published on the platforms of LitRes and Kobo with the title «Unusual „Lotus“ apartments – an alternative to panel construction. Part 1. Architecture.»
This book attempts toВ show more fully that the functional activity ofВ residents is independent ofВ the system from the coordinates ofВ the enclosing structures ofВ residential modules. Architectural aspects ofВ this approach are expanded. AВ comparison ofВ apartments inВ В«LotusВ» houses and apartments inВ large-panel buildings at the same cost is given. Analyzed the planning possibilities and various solutions ofВ the facades ofВ the В«LotusВ» system. For many ofВ these technical solutions patents have been obtained.
2.В PRINCIPLE OFВ INDEPENDENCE
2.1В Cartesian coordinate system and independence principle
Since time immemorial, people have tried toВ create enclosing structures toВ create an enclosed comfortable environment, toВ protect against weather changes ofВ rain, cold or heat and toВ protect against external threats. Enclosed spaces were formed byВ various technological methods, depending on their form, sometimes changing over time, and often replicated even for centuries. The enclosing structures are almost always vertical walls and horizontal slabs. It is often cited that the forms ofВ such space created must be cells capable ofВ uniting with each other or, on the contrary, ofВ dividing within themselves, inВ accordance with the forms ofВ equipment and with the various functions ofВ man.
The unification ofВ cells took place not only inВ the plane ofВ plots ofВ land, but also vertically, which led toВ the creation ofВ multistory structures known already inВ Ancient Rome. However, it is natural that the replication ofВ the upper floors is almost always possible only simultaneously with the lower floors. Massively such structures were used for housing, but there were also public buildings. Replication ofВ artificial structures led toВ the creation ofВ settlements and then cities, mainly consisting ofВ aВ set ofВ residential cells for the family and public facilities.
The form ofВ spatial cells was conditioned byВ two circumstances. The first is the need toВ multiply and divide the space into planes with common enclosing structures for adjacent cells. ToВ achieve uniformity, enclosures must be rectilinear inВ plan. The second is the technological methods ofВ construction. InВ most countries, it is aВ mullion-beam system, easily implemented with the availability ofВ forest materials. Even if the vertical building envelopes are not made ofВ wood, inВ the early stages ofВ mass construction inВ most cases were made ofВ wood slabs. All this inВ the most standardized form is most easily created inВ the Cartesian system ofВ coordinates.
But this was not always the case. If plots ofВ land are not limited inВ area, such as steppe areas, and there is no forest inВ the required quantity, then the need for an external indissoluble division ofВ space is absent. Other forms ofВ spatial cells emerge, such as freestanding yurts. However, this type ofВ cells is still dying out, yielding toВ the technology ofВ rectilinear forms ofВ enclosing structures, as the functions become more complex and not only enclosing structures are required, but also the saturation ofВ cells with new technologies. InВ this regard, there is aВ need even inВ these areas toВ compactly integrate cells and structures assembled from them. There remains aВ predominantly Cartesian system, which allows toВ divide and replicate the indissoluble space.
Along with the mass construction ofВ residential spatial forms, public ones became increasingly important and their importance increased, so settlements and cities look like aВ combination ofВ such structures. Most often they consist ofВ independent sections ofВ residential and public buildings, so they are exempt from the functions ofВ division and replication between them. As aВ consequence, Cartesian coordinate systems for public buildings are no longer necessary. They can be replicated within the building plots and upwards, and the division within them can be more arbitrary. All this created and creates aВ variety ofВ forms inВ the architecture ofВ public buildings.
The development ofВ public facilities and mass housing is aВ complex process that has led toВ modern architecture and the conventional gradation ofВ such facilities inВ cities into two groups. The first includes mostly public buildings ofВ cities sometimes and industrial use, and the second is the mass housing. AВ favorite area ofВ most famous architects is the first group. It is most often limited byВ the characteristics ofВ the building sites and is less burdened byВ technological requirements. Moreover, the vast majority ofВ such sites are based on aВ significant construction budget. InВ many cases, that budget is overridden as well, because the unfinished facility is even more unprofitable. This tidbit ofВ architecture allows the creation ofВ incredible architectural masterpieces that glorify the creators. Often behind the architects are statesmen trying toВ perpetuate their time inВ power.
Such facilities are necessary and pay for themselves indirectly byВ attracting the flow ofВ tourists, which can be many millions. Skyscrapers that amaze everyone with their height and unusual designs and facades create an attractive emotional environment, which often pays for itself inВ this way, despite the considerable expense involved. Such buildings can be compared toВ sculptures, admiring the craftsmanship ofВ the authors and presenting mainly only artistic value. Naturally, inВ some cases, such iconic structures also pay for themselves byВ renting space and sellingВ it.
The second group is predominantly high-rise residential buildings, but among them some also have the functions ofВ public buildings. This is aВ more complex group, because it includes high-rise buildings and skyscrapers. InВ addition, it is divided into classes, such as luxury housing, business class, comfort class and economy class. InВ many respects this classification is arbitrary, so it is often officially changed. It should also be noted that individual residences may also be included inВ this group.
The class ofВ residential high-rise and individual buildings is ofВ great importance. Elite location, which can also be attributed toВ the first group ofВ structures with public buildings, completely throws off the importance ofВ such aВ factor as the cost ofВ structures. InВ architectural terms, these objects are the same field ofВ action ofВ famous architects who create one-of-a-kind buildings. Individual residences, which are often transformed into expensive mansions, also belong toВ the elite.
The business class ofВ high-rise housing can also be characterized as individual structures, depending on the location, and their owners are able toВ pay almost entirely for such housing or even have several residential properties possibly inВ different countries. Here already the cost ofВ construction begins toВ affect the prices, but still the location has aВ decisive role. Conventionally, we can assume that this is the second line inВ terms ofВ location. Individual houses ofВ business class are located mostly inВ elite cottage settlements and are notable for their relatively large area. Such houses are not inexpensive, but are almost always readily available toВ their owners. They are often built byВ professional architects.
The comfort class is multistory houses, which are already largely subject toВ the price ofВ construction. It is designed for aВ large group ofВ the population, perhaps the largest group. Such housing is often already purchased through mortgages and as aВ result ofВ changing aВ smaller apartment toВ aВ larger one. Architecturally, these are mass housing projects constructed inВ neighborhoods ofВ typical or repetitive designs. This is aВ kind ofВ third line inВ location, but such houses are also built inВ quite distant completely comfortable neighborhoods. Individual houses inВ this category are most likely toВ have enough space for comfortable living without excesses and with controllable construction and maintenance costs. Architectural solutions ofВ individual houses ofВ this class are most often based on standard designs.
Economy class is already social housing, although it is often purchased with mortgages. InВ many cases, the location does not matter inВ this case, and the main goal is toВ provide affordable housing for those inВ need. Such houses are often built at the expense ofВ the state. Economy class may be excluded and represented as comfortable housing with simplified finishing. There are no stringent requirements for the architectural appearance ofВ such houses, which require large expenditures. ToВ the individual houses ofВ economy class conditionally can be attributed with minimal space with aВ variety ofВ individual and typical architecture
This gradation ofВ architectural objects is necessary toВ determine what share inВ the construction ofВ housing occupy the mass structures inВ which their price affects the cost ofВ houses inВ general. It can be seen that the most tense situation arises inВ the comfort and economy classes, where the needs ofВ tenants are limited byВ the cost. The majority ofВ the population, even if the family is provided with housing, does not have enough space, and most owners would like toВ substantially increase it, but many do not have this financial possibility.
The impact ofВ the cost ofВ land for high-rise construction is so significant that this factor is felt when comparing housing prices inВ different cities. InВ large cities it leads toВ the fact that the cost ofВ construction is practically not decisive. It only affects their outskirts. It gets toВ the point where the most expensive structures become cost-effective, thanks toВ the high cost ofВ housing, and pay for themselves inВ any case. This situation applies not only toВ elite and business-class houses, but also toВ the comfort class, so there is absolutely no incentive toВ reduce the cost ofВ construction.
However, if cities are small or new high-rise areas are built for comfortable and economy-class housing, especially at the expense ofВ the state, the cost factor begins toВ significantly affect the overall situation. Even inВ large cities on the outskirts, if there is inexpensive land, reducing the cost, you can provide affordable housing for large segments ofВ the population for whom this is an inaccessible task. InВ fact, attempts are being made toВ ration the minimum and maximum area ofВ housing that would make it affordable for residents who buy it on aВ mortgage or under social programs. Often people get aВ smaller apartment than they need, but inВ this way the housing problem is solved. The lack ofВ living space is felt inВ almost every family, even if they think this problem is solved for them.
The situation with individual construction is simpler, as having aВ plot ofВ land allows one toВ build houses with aВ larger area, sometimes even larger than necessary. Individual construction is significantly affected byВ climatic conditions. Houses inВ southern areas at the same cost have aВ much larger area than houses built inВ harsher conditions. The necessary infrastructure is also cheaper.
There are two ways toВ increase the housing stock. The first is the expansion ofВ cities with the construction ofВ new centers ofВ such aВ level that their significance would be comparable with the existing historical centers. It is desirable that all classes ofВ housing would be represented, and comfort-class and social housing would be built at prices with aВ minimum construction cost. The second way is the construction ofВ new cities, including million-strong cities, attractive from an urban planning point ofВ view and with aВ low cost ofВ housing. This would dramatically increase the housing stock and not parasitize on the high cost ofВ housing inВ the historic development ofВ existing cities.
Conditionally dividing all urban planning objects into two groups, we can determine that the group ofВ public buildings is not necessarily designed inВ the Cartesian coordinate system, and the group ofВ housing is mainly designed and built inВ it. Residential buildings inВ the Cartesian system ofВ coordinates is aВ well-established centuries-old system, as indicated, justified byВ the need for division and indissoluble replication ofВ housing cells. Replication inВ multistory houses is practically possible only simultaneously with the first floors, so inВ this case only the internal division ofВ areas plays an essential role.
The convenience ofВ the Cartesian coordinate system allows almost anyone toВ build aВ dwelling byВ division and replication even without special education. If it is not done professionally and not quite thought out, such aВ dwelling can be operated even with domestic difficulties. Almost all people, having certain living cells on their own, and sometimes with the help ofВ professionals, are engaged inВ division ofВ cells arranging inВ them the elements ofВ furniture.
As aВ rule, there are two ways ofВ arranging furniture inВ rectangular inВ plan cells. The first, when space is limited, is practically unbreakable division, i.e. aВ dense layout. The second way is aВ free layout if there is excess space. Since more often than not there is not enough space, the first method prevails. At the same time, residents face the task ofВ placing the elements inВ aВ specific tightly constrained size ofВ the area. We have toВ choose the size ofВ furniture ofВ appropriate dimensions. There is aВ system ofВ modules that determine the basic parameters ofВ the equipment, but the construction dimensions may be different and inВ aВ dense arrangement ofВ there is aВ need toВ reckon with it. Almost all homeowners face this problem.
Thus, the Cartesian coordinate system for small areas, although simple, but poses in most cases difficult division tasks for almost all residents. It is easier to solve everything when there is some excess space, when it is possible to freely arrange the furniture with fewer construction constraints. Spacious homes with some excess space make the task of furnishing and installing appliances much easier. In a sense, small spaces are sometimes attractive because they limit owners’ desire to purchase excessive home furnishings.
Horizontal ceilings are an inviolable element inВ the construction ofВ multistory houses. It is almost impossible toВ move away from the need toВ perform them inВ the form ofВ flat structures, whether they are girder systems or slabs. InВ any case, the upper surface must be flat. InВ the Cartesian coordinate system, residential cells also have flat vertical enclosing structures. Flat wall structures that separate adjacent rooms are almost always the same thickness along the length.
The aesthetic perception ofВ the plane imposes certain requirements on their quality. Such aВ plane must be so precise, inВ terms ofВ deviation from ideal dimensions, that it must also be perceived as perfectly flat. InВ terms ofВ mass construction is an expensive procedure that requires aВ significant cost, but which is perceived as inevitable. It is exacerbated byВ the subsequent desire toВ create multiple layers ofВ high-quality finishes, often including plaster, putty, paint or other finishes, the price ofВ which, toВ meet the ideal plane, often becomes even comparable toВ the cost ofВ construction. Thus, the enclosing, relatively perfect plane becomes aВ labor-intensive, expensive structure even when inexpensive layers ofВ finishing materials are used.
Cost-effectiveness ofВ mass residential high-rise buildings, even inВ relatively expensive areas ofВ development is still ofВ great importance, since the same typical structures are also applicable toВ houses ofВ economy class. InВ Cartesian coordinates, the most economical construction is aВ box structure. Most cities are aВ combination ofВ different types ofВ box systems. ToВ avoid the complete monotony ofВ structures inВ the Cartesian coordinate system, the buildings are saturated with different elements, allowing toВ change the appearance ofВ the box system. This applies toВ both high-rise residential and public buildings.
The main techniques that allow toВ get away from the boxed structure are the mutual displacement ofВ boxed volumes, the creation ofВ protruding elements such as balconies and loggias, the use ofВ bay windows ofВ various shapes. On the first floors, mullion-beam structures are sometimes installed. InВ many cases, inВ order not toВ lose the attractiveness ofВ structures, apply high-quality not cheap finish ofВ the flat facade edges ofВ rectangular structure, such as tile materials. Naturally, all the additional elements lead toВ an increase inВ the cost ofВ aВ simple box system. When building on expensive development sites, these costs are not crucial and are covered byВ the high market value ofВ the housing.
The experience of construction in Cartesian coordinates of panel houses with the complete elimination of all excesses was at the beginning of the development of this method of house-building. It showed how inexpressive the architecture of such buildings is, that is, the Cartesian coordinates in the most economical case – it is monotonous houses, which can be changed by complicating and increasing the cost. Nevertheless, there were successful solutions, for example, the Lazdynai district in Vilnius. But here, too, without some additions and to the box structure, therefore, additional costs did not do.
Thus the Cartesian coordinate system creates inseparable living spaces easily divisible, but requiring special treatment ofВ flat building envelopes and additional costs for the decoration ofВ the box structure ofВ buildings. Nevertheless, the simplicity ofВ the mullion-beam system based on woodworking technology and, subsequently, on rolling metal technology, which often serves as aВ form for concrete products, has helped and helps toВ develop such construction.
InВ all multistory buildings, it is practically impossible toВ change the planar solution ofВ the slab tops, but the axes ofВ the vertical wall planes need not be constructed inВ plan inВ Cartesian coordinates. Their direction can be changed. They can be located inВ the polar coordinates rays, can be combined with rectilinear axes having modified non-rectangular angles between themselves and theoretically any, therefore, the walls themselves inВ the plan can have aВ variety ofВ shapes. This allows the rooms they enclose toВ have differently shaped areas.
If there is aВ surplus ofВ area and large spans, then the functions flowing inВ these areas may well be incorporated into the nonlinear nonlinear envelopes. InВ this connection, we can assume that the functions flowing on the floors do not depend on the shape ofВ enclosing structures and, consequently, on the coordinate system toВ which they are attached. Thus, there exists the principle ofВ independence ofВ functions from the system ofВ coordinates and envelope structures attached toВ them inВ construction.
These provisions are not particularly objectionable inВ the case ofВ public buildings with sufficiently excessive space, and this opens up great opportunities for architects all over the world. InВ elite residential buildings and many business-class residences, aВ large surplus ofВ space makes human functions just as much less dependent on building envelopes. However, the principle ofВ independence seems unacceptable for mass high-rise housing, where practically everything is built inВ aВ Cartesian coordinate system.
Since for houses designed for the majority ofВ the population the construction cost is aВ fundamental factor, mass housing is built inВ Cartesian coordinates inВ the form ofВ box structures, modified toВ avoid uniformity ofВ form inВ one or another costlyВ way.
The Cartesian coordinate system prevails inВ mass construction, but is it possible toВ change this position and how feasible is it? It turns out that it is possible toВ create aВ different method ofВ housing construction inВ aВ different system ofВ coordinates.
InВ all branches ofВ science, it is known that linear laws are aВ particular case ofВ general non-linear laws. Therefore, replacing the coordinate system inВ construction has aВ deeper philosophical meaning. The question arises as toВ how rational it is and how complex functions ofВ human activity, family can fit into aВ non-Cartesian coordinate system and how the principle ofВ independence is applicable inВ housing construction.
2.2В The principle ofВ independence inВ housing
Functional human activity is so complex that its study and systematization can be done very conventionally. It is limited and defined for modern apartments in multistory buildings in a very simple way by the number of rooms, spaces and areas. In all cases there are functionally necessary kitchens and sanitary units. The basic principle of systematization – a larger family has more rooms and more space.
For apartments, however, you can define aВ maximum, when increasing the number ofВ rooms and space becomes unnecessary, especially when considering the growing operating costs. The lower limit ofВ the maximum number ofВ rooms can be defined as the number ofВ rooms corresponding toВ the number ofВ family members plus one room, i.e. the number ofВ bedrooms is taken into account. This principle is applicable inВ many countries. If this is commensurate with the area ofВ living space per person inВ developed countries, it is other areas ofВ apartments, i.e. the apartment must be significantly larger. AВ one-room apartment is two rooms and aВ kitchen for aВ total ofВ about sixty meters, aВ two-room apartment is three rooms for aВ total ofВ one hundred and twenty meters, aВ three-room apartment is four rooms for one hundred and eighty meters, etc. ToВ achieve such aВ goal, the amount ofВ existing living space inВ many countries must be greatly increased.
Further expansion ofВ the maximum space and number ofВ rooms depends on the specific preferences ofВ the occupants, such as the need for an office toВ work at home, the placement ofВ libraries or collections, etc. Thus, the required apartments for aВ family inВ terms ofВ the number ofВ rooms and space can inВ some cases be even larger. If these requirements are further expanded, then for mass construction we can go beyond such housing as apartments inВ aВ high-rise building and turn into individual construction ofВ cottages, individual houses, mansions, which are not considered here because they require other infrastructure, individual transport, other expenses for construction and exploitation. Individual elite housing inВ high-rise, high-rise buildings inВ the central parts ofВ cities, which on the expensive land is justified, is also not considered, and only mass construction is considered.
The functional activity ofВ the occupants depends toВ aВ lesser extent on the system ofВ coordinates inВ which the enclosing walls inВ the apartments are built. ToВ aВ greater extent, the arrangement ofВ equipment and furniture depends on it and the smaller the apartment, the greater this dependence. Indeed, the whole industry ofВ household appliances, furniture, built-in equipment is oriented on the Cartesian coordinate system, so the simplest way toВ equip apartments is their placement with reference toВ the rooms which are also made inВ Cartesian coordinates. This is especially important for apartments with aВ small area. But the situation changes for large areas. The larger the apartment, the less this dependenceВ is.
If possible, everyone strives to get apartments with a free layout and take the division of apartments into rooms into their own hands. But not everyone can afford it, and most often the choice is determined by the number of rooms and rooms and their total area. Such apartments already have a stable and invariable floor plan. Mostly these are apartments in large-panel buildings – the main most common low-cost housing.
As the composition ofВ the family changes or increases without increasing the area ofВ the apartments, their furnishing becomes more complicated. Availability ofВ stable principles ofВ equipment installation becomes important and Cartesian coordinates contribute toВ this. This is especially noticeable when the total housing area per person is not large. If this problem is difficult toВ solve, then inВ such aВ situation simply change the smaller apartment toВ aВ larger one. Then, the difficulty ofВ dense arrangement ofВ equipment inВ the apartment decreases. The amount ofВ space inВ the apartment and the number ofВ rooms becomes important. And since it is so, the dependence on the system ofВ coordinates inВ which the building envelopes are built decreases. Symbiosis is possible, when aВ combination ofВ Cartesian coordinate system elements is introduced into the planning structure ofВ another coordinate system, thus forming aВ local coordinate system.
Functional activities ofВ people inВ relation toВ the coordinate system ofВ structures ofВ residential modules is largely independent and the form ofВ aВ useful area can be very diverse. This principle is applicable and valid, as indicated, not only for residential buildings, but also for most public buildings, and for them this independence is even more pronounced.
The principle ofВ independence indicates that housing can be ofВ many different forms, and this is confirmed byВ the practice ofВ construction. Houses with unusual layouts and appearance are created. This is especially common inВ low-rise construction.
AВ striking example ofВ the principle ofВ independence inВ housing construction is built inВ Chicago (USA) two buildings В«Marina CityВ». Houses built as aВ closed complex, with the possibility ofВ exit from it byВ car, river and air, are round inВ plan with trapezoidal apartments. There are virtually no rectangular shapes inВ the apartments, and the general coordinate system ofВ the buildings is polar. Large enough areas meet all the requirements ofВ the family life and no one has any doubts about their performance, although the Cartesian coordinate system has been practically abandoned. At the same time it is aВ unique monolithic building built according toВ the market canons and practically can not be replicated. Although it is aВ residential complex, it should be categorized as elite housing with exclusive architecture and the cost ofВ construction is not fundamentally important.
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