Abstract: The object of this research is modern museum complexes located in an urban or natural environment and aimed at connecting with the surrounding space. The subject of the research is the principles and design techniques of organizing the subject-spatial environment of modern museums, existing in close unity of architecture, design and landscape. Design techniques for the formation of an integral museum environment using landscape and design methods of shaping are revealed.
The study focuses on the design potential of combining the interior, exterior and adjacent territories in order to preserve regional characteristics, natural and cultural environment. The article provides a comprehensive overview and classification of design concepts of museums, reveals the principles of combining cultural and educational functions of museums with sports and recreational ones.
A systematic analysis of modern museum environment projects is carried out in the unity of axiological, ecological, artistic, aesthetic and contextual approaches. Based on this, the principles of organizing the museum environment as an ecosystem are identified and classified.
The authors introduce the concept of "museum ecosystem". The main features of museum ecosystems are formulated. The design methodology of an ecologically appropriate human habitat synthesizing technical, social and artistic solutions is proposed, the main methods of designing artificial ecosystems are identified using the example of modern museums.
The conclusion is made about the trend of designing museum complexes as integral ecosystems, it is noted that the design of modern museum complexes, when achieving the synthesis of natural forms, design tools and high technologies, allows you to organize the museum environment as an ecosystem with high comfort indicators without disturbing the natural environment.

Abstract: The subject of this research is the urban space of Tolyatti – a large industrial center built during Soviet times. The article analyzes the Soviet and post-Soviet ideas of designing the urban environment. The object of this research is the building-adjacent territories of the most problem, standard residential areas that in a lesser extent correspond with the modern perception of human comfort in urban environment. The need for modernization and harmonization of courtyard spaces for increasing the quality of life of the urban population is demonstrated through the complex environmental approach, namely the engineering design. The authors conduct a correlational analysis of the contemporary design projects of creating the comfortable environment along with the idea resources laid in the project of an “ideal” Soviet industrial city. In the course of this research were determined the positive city-planning ideas of “city of the future” that allow efficiently develop the building-adjacent territories. The authors examine the problematic of the standard residential construction of Tolyatti and transformation of the functions of urban environment, as well as substantiate the role of courtyard as an important territory for increasing the quality of life in the modern industrial city. The concept of a contemporary courtyard space is presented.