Abstract: The article is devoted to the study of regulatory documents in the field of thermal engineering in construction and the development of regulations for thermal protection of buildings. The object of the research is the standard documentation in the field of thermal engineering in construction. A retrospective analysis of the norms and requirements for thermal protection of buildings was carried out by identifying qualitative changes in the content of standard documentation. Building codes and regulations, Code specification, Federal laws and Government decrees have been adopted as such regulatory documents for this study. The documents that influenced these changes are considered. The normative requirements of the past years in the field of building heat engineering have been systematized. Six stages of the formation of norms for the thermal protection of buildings are determined, based on changes in the formulas for determining the resistance to heat transfer of enclosing structures and the introduction of the characteristic of the degree-day of the heating period, depending on the climatic features of the region. Trends in the development of standards for thermal protection of buildings have been determined. The main goal is to reduce the specific characteristic of heat energy consumption for heating and ventilation, which requires a change in the requirements for thermal protection, in particular, an increase in the required resistance to heat transfer, which can contribute to updating the existing set of rules for thermal protection of buildings.

Abstract: This work deals with such topical issues as digital painting and digital art, which have become popular in recent decades around the world. The problems of contemporary art are similar to the problems of digital art, which will be discussed in the article. It also examines the possibilities of computer technology in the visual arts and analyzes the works of foreign and domestic artists who work in computer graphics using traditional techniques of pictorial images. Theoretical methods of research of available information, systematization and analysis, empirical study of artists ' works on the research topic. Digital painting has just begun to develop and be studied, so not much research is conducted in this area. In my work, I fully disclose the topic of the problems of digital painting. Digital painting is a new step in contemporary art, it continues to develop and expand its capabilities. It gives a new look at the exhibition system. A different attitude to the works, for which no one pays, and which have the opportunity to look at everyone.

Abstract: At the present time, the curvilinear architecture is rapidly developing in many countries around the globe. The article provides a brief description of formation of the curvilinear structure of the buildings, as well as underlines their merits and flaws. The author analyzes the structural solutions of one of the most unique projects of contemporary architecture – the Harbin Opera House, which is designed by the Chinese architect Ma Yansong. Over three years of research demonstrated that the level of technical mastery, particularly pertaining to construction of the complex unique objects, is unfortunately not at an adequate level. The author claims that in the case of Harbin Opera House, the large capacities of the curvilinear formations have not been applied. The traditional approach towards designing of the building structures appears to be inappropriate, considering the modern forming methods. Curvilinear architecture, alongside any other, requires developing the own individual structural solutions.

Abstract: This article examines one of the methods of resolving the issue of ensuring the residents of the Russian regions with affordable and quality housing by means of application of the existing substantial historical experience in implementing the technology of prefabricated modular construction. The author leans on the example of experience of the active industrially developing regions of the country – Voronezh Region, Krasnodarsk Krai, and Krasnoyarsk Krai. The work analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of such construction technology, substantiates its application in the modern conditions, reveals the key value characteristics of such method, as well as provides a brief overview of construction industry over the past 30 years. The author describes the potential of architectural qualities of the volumetric modular buildings. As an example of explaining one of the quality characteristics of the external building envelope, the article presents a thermotechnical calculation through mathematical modeling of heat transfer. Conclusion is formulated about the level of correspondence of the modular buildings with the existing regulatory requirements, sanitary norms, and thermal insulation of buildings. The work considers the advantages of the main architectural qualities of volumetric modular buildings, as well as substantiates the purposefulness of application of such method as a promising direction in development of the construction sector of the prefabricated modular homebuilding.  

Abstract: Housing sphere is the paramount sphere of social development, which is responsible for satisfying the housing needs. The level of accommodation of such need is one of the main indicators of the development of social system, objective and subjective welfare. This is namely why the problems of development and reform of the housing sphere always remains socially important and acute. Examination of the problems of satisfaction of housing needs, housing stratification and social inequality in housing sphere alongside the contradictions in development of this sphere are essentially just beginning. The author believes that the analysis of contradictory trends in development of the housing sphere will be a substantial contribution into the research of the current Russian housing sphere, as well as formulation of practical recommendations aimed at improvement of housing policy and its implementation. The article emphasized the most significant trends in transformation of housing sphere in the Russian Federation, as well as the discrepancy in the processes of their realization. The author substantiates the need for accounting the positive experience of Western countries regarding the minimization of social inequality in housing sphere. Attention is focused on the presence of inconsistencies in the agenda of State Program “Providing the Citizens of the Russian Federation with Affordable and Comfortable Housing and Utility Services”, the result of which is the limitation of citizens’ right to satisfaction of the housing need.

Abstract: The process of architectural morphogenesis remains far from being completed. This article considers the phenomenon of deconstructivism, its evolution in Russia and worldwide, current state of the objects of deconstructivism, peculiarities of their preservation, and people's perception. It is expected that this work will allow to more precisely determine the role and importance of the objects of deconstructivism from the perspective of evolution of the world culture, as well as form a clearer position regarding their protection. Relevance of the article is substantiated primarily by the lack of accurate approaches towards solution of the problems associated with the preservation of architectural environment. The research method is  defined by the analysis of deconstructivist objects in terms of granting them a status of cultural heritage, as well as the analysis of opinions of the experts in the area of architecture. The great majority of buildings, designed in accordance with the concepts of deconstructivism, are unique in its kind, as well as contain the spatial planning, structural, and urban development solutions. The author underlines that the current condition of some of the deconstructivist objects causes a severe concern. The history of world architecture knows multiple examples of the loss of cultural objects, which were not referred to the list of the objects of cultural heritage for various reasons.

Abstract: The subject of this research is the phenomenon of "virtual reality" in architectural environment. The article provides an overview of the emergence of idea of "virtual reality" in science and architecture. The trends of metaphoric definition of the term in various field of humanitarian knowledge are examined. Special attention is given to the theoretical questions of the phenomenon, history of its origin, and consideration of ontological approaches. The author determines the role and correlation of the visual illusions with virtual reality, when the significance of illusory effects comes to the forefront of manifestation of the phenomenon in architecture. Methodology of this study lies in the gradual examination of the questions related to the analysis of historical materials, emergence of the idea of virtual reality, issues of visual perception of the architectural environment and illusory architectural spaces. The main conclusion consists in peculiar understanding of the phenomenon of “virtual reality” in architecture. The author gives definition from the perspective of the theory of architecture; identifies the types of phenomena of illusory nature; as well as substantiates the significance of illusory effects in the context of formation of virtual reality of the architectural environment that can be valuable in theory and practice.

Abstract: The subject of this research is the waste of the woodworking industry, which can be used for production of construction materials for small and medium-sized housing. The author focuses on the recycling of byproducts and waste, which has gained importance in the recent years. Despite the decline in the production of wood processing enterprises, the amount of waste from wood processing remains large. The increase of production and expansion of the range of insulation materials and products, disposal of waste wood processing company is an urgent task, which can be partially solved by organizing the production of building materials and products based on wood waste. This research employs analytical descriptive method for the study of theoretical materials; methods of theoretical analysis of literature and methods of studying and generalizing domestic practice; economic calculation method; general scientific methods, namely analysis, interpretation, analogy, induction, deduction. This article reveals the features of the chemical composition of sawdust, its processing, the process of production of building materials based on them, and the subsequent use in the construction of buildings and structures. The processing and utilization of waste from wood industry with positive research and experiments results will be of great importance for the current construction industry as a whole.

Abstract: The subject of this research is current large-scale and comprehensive development strategy of the Far Eastern Federal District, which implies the development of territories possessing a unique economic-geographical and transit position, as well as long border with a densely populated foreign state. Directions within the framework of this strategy allow achieving the urban development potential of the Russia’s side of the border, namely create an additional network of small, medium, large localities, and ensure sustainable development of the existing ones. The author comes to the conclusion that comprehensive implementation of strategies of the Russian Federation carries delayed character, and the key indicator, represented by the population size, will not increase unless the region boosts its productive capacity, followed by the improvement of living standards, and thus, migration inflow and natural population growth. All these processes combined allow achieving the urban development potential of the region, as well as the border areas. The strategies implemented by China are aimed at the promotion of economic ties through expanding the urban development.

Abstract: The subject of this research is aimed at revealing of the ideas of the modern Western urban doctrines on the categories and concepts of sustainable development in the organization of living environment in the forms of low-rise construction. The goal of this work lies in determination and analysis of the essence of definitions and concepts of sustainable development, established within the framework of the modern Western urban doctrines, in historical evolution of the theory of sustainability in construction and architecture. Over the recent years, a pressing issue becomes the creation of convenient environment in urban area.  Solution to problems in the logistics of urban traffic, ecological situation and psychological health of the residents can become the refusal of the dense high-rise housing. Research methodology of lies in examination of the experience of Western urban theories of sustainable development of housing on the materials of international symposiums and seminars dedicated to the advancement of urbanization and its environmental pillars. The results may be used in development of the modern theoretical concepts and practical implementation of the ideas of sustainable development in the field of low-rise construction. The conclusions demonstrate that the functions of sustainable development of low-rise construction overall interlink with the for basic task groups in social, economic, technical, technological, and ecological. These four vector will help to increase the financial and economic savings, reduce the impact on the environment, improve efficiency and utility, as well as affect the quality of optimization.

Abstract: The subject of the research is the work of young sociologists from Nizhny Novgorod, E.A. Urusova and T.M. Khusyainova, in which the sociocultural changes taking place before our eyes in the megalopolis are shown. The authors strive to show the need for equal access to the urban environment of various social groups, including people with disabilities. They see an important role in the formation of megacities in the creative space, which gives previously unprecedented opportunities for the creative development of individuals. The peer-reviewed paper is based on the principles of analysis and synthesis, reliability, objectivity, and a systematic approach serves as the methodological basis. The authors also use the methods of social research, in particular the survey.The scientific novelty of the article under review is determined by the fact that the authors strive to show the processes of influence of the urban space of the megalopolis on the communicative and creative possibilities of its inhabitants, including the disabled. When solving issues of creating a barrier-free environment, the authors draw attention not only to architectural, but also to social components.

Abstract: This article analyzes the experience of geological exploration and construction on the example of the city of Norilsk, and also discusses their problems. In 1935, it was decided to build the Norilsk Metallurgical Plant and the village of Norilsk was founded. During the geological survey and construction, many problems arose, these include:
- the spread of permafrost soils, and subsequently the thawing of soils acting as the base of buildings and structures;
- a small number and scattered location of rocky soils suitable for use as a base;
- limited technology capabilities;
- long time and huge costs when using as a base, rocky soils.
Those problems mostly arose due to the lack of experience in building foundations on permafrost, Norilsk is the first experience in this regard. To solve the problem of permafrost, the Norilsk Integrated Department of the Krasnoyarsk Institute "Promstroyniiproekt" was formed in 1959. The solution to the problem was found at that time by Mikhail Vasilyevich Kim, who was appointed to the post of head. The method of pile foundation in permafrost consisted in freezing the pile into the frozen ground. Thus, this method allowed not only to solve the problem with the construction of foundations on permafrost, but also to use it for construction purposes.