Multifunctionality as a Basic Principle of Design

Zhukova Irina ORCID: 0000-0003-1919-6376 Postgraduate student, Department of Environment and Interior Design, National Institute of Design 115054, Russia, Moscow, Dubininskaya str., 17, p.2 sirius8881@yandex.ru

Barsukova Nataliya Ivanovna ORCID: 0000-0001-9222-4885 Doctor of Art History Professor, National Design Institute 354055, Russia, Krasnodar Territory, Plastunka village, Leselidze str., 37/1 bars_natali@mail.ru

The phenomenon of multifunctionality is widely used in many types of activities. It consists in performing several different functions by an object. The level of multifunctionality is often one of the main indicators of the system and consistency, structurality. Since multifunctionality becomes one of the characteristics of an object when designing it, there is a need to dwell on this issue in more detail in design. The relevance of this topic lies in the inability to organize a comfortable urban environment with the help of individual compositions. Therefore, the idea of an integrated approach, the organization of the human habitat by design means on the basis of multifunctionality and a multifaceted study of this issue has matured.

The subject of research in this article is the phenomenon of multifunctional objects and objects of the environment. The novelty of the study is to identify their features and trends associated with the lack of a unified methodological approach in the theory and practice of design.

Modern design practice directly points to the value and necessity of operational design solutions based on the simplicity and convenience of using space, modular principle, ergonomics and artistic and innovative approach. Constantly changing lifestyle, transformation of consumer demands of society require a more subtle approach to any project task.

The methodology of the research of the stated topic in this article, taking into account the complexity and comprehensiveness of the problem, is limited to the design characteristics of multifunctionality and is aimed at identifying external and internal factors of the entire universal design process in design. This process necessarily includes aesthetic and technological aspects of creating an art form. Other issues that have not yet been touched upon by the domestic design theory require closer attention. For example, the study of the socio-cultural component of the existence of multifunctional design objects remains outside the scope of this study.

The analysis of the scientific elaboration of the problem shows that the desire for multifunctionality is not an absolutely new technique – the organization of a universal space endowed with various functions has been known for a long time, ancient houses were at the same time a place of residence, work and sale of goods. People sought to organize a compact and convenient environment for various functional purposes, such as in a Russian dwelling: a peasant hut and a noble country estate ^[5]. The practice of multifunctional design has developed naturally throughout the history of human settlement since ancient times. The houses of medieval cities were also organized according to the principle of endowing them with various types of activities. Medieval cities with their active development of crafts were characterized by high density, since the space necessary for living and working, the distance of transition from the place of occupation of one type of activity to the place intended for performing other labor functions, were physically limited by walking accessibility. In the context of the medieval city, there were such types of multifunctional buildings, where the first floor was allocated for industrial and commercial purposes, and the upper ones for living. Or vice versa, as in Dutch cities – the upper floors were industrial warehouses, the middle floor was for everyday family household needs, and on the ground floor a trading shop or production was organized.

Industrialization and the industrial Revolution led to the separation of the locations of industrial activity and residence, the construction of buildings specialized in functional purpose. All this has led to the development of the practice of urban zoning, which consists in the spatial separation of functionally specialized zones of the city. The formation of the theoretical foundations of zoning, represented by the Garden City movement, proceeded from the need to resolve the conflict in the practice of using urban land. An industry that pollutes the environment and causes psychological discomfort to a person should not have a negative impact on his life. With the construction of a public transport system, the availability of private vehicles, and lower fuel prices, opportunities have expanded in the construction of a distributed, low-density urban space.

At the present time, multifunctionality is returning to the urban environment, becoming a necessary characteristic of modern open urban space and is inherent in all types of project culture ^{[3, 6, 20]}. For example, multifunctional architectural complexes - shopping and entertainment or social and business - are perceived by the consumer as one of the forms of a comfortable environment ^{[11, 15]}. Scientists note that multifunctionality is a characteristic feature not only of individual objects, devices and systems, but also of actions, methods and technologies, and the scope of its possible use is almost all spheres of human activity ^[19]. An example is the off-season use of multifunctional wine-growing complexes, taking into account their landscape and climatic concepts ^[11]. Such objects are now widespread everywhere – their summer restaurants can transform into themed fairs after the autumn harvest; museum complexes or exhibition grounds turn into venues for master classes and concert programs.In modern society, the desire for the simultaneous use of many functions is one of the methods of competitiveness and thereby moves from a purely theoretical plane to the household level.

 The analysis of the concept of universality as a principle of artistic development of living space was made from the perspective of understanding cultural archetypes, which the author considers to be its basis ^[8]. Universality is presented as the integrity of the biological and spiritual nature of man; as a specific form of thinking, striving for the universe, as the designer's attraction to the knowledge of the inner world of the customer with the disclosure of his deep universal constants [ibid.].

In the architectural and design design of multifunctional knowledge, it is also possible to observe a focus on solving individual issues on the differentiation of functional features ^{[11, 15]}. As a rule, the theoretical basis here is formed according to building codes and regulations ^[2]. As for the artistic imagery, expressiveness and style of modern objects, the method of combining several linguistic forms or stylistics in one work, which was called polystylistics, is also common here ^[4].

In this regard, the purpose of the study is to identify the main signs of multifunctionality in subject and environmental design. The phenomenon of multifunctionality, the features of its theoretical definition and meaning formation in design are revealed. Various components of multifunctional design design as a progressive and affordable symbiosis of design solutions are highlighted.

The scientific novelty of the article lies in the fact that multifunctionality is shown as the basic principle of modern design design. It was found out that modern design design is focused on the creation of both individual objects that include more than one function, and the environment as a whole. The criteria of design design accompanying multifunctionality are defined - modular principle, ergonomics or usability, manufacturability, economy.

The word function comes from the Latin word functio, which means – commission, performance, activity. In other words, a function can be considered the role of an object within a certain system, its work, duty, range of actions. Thus, the function is the work that the product must perform, as well as the semantic, symbolic and value role of the thing. Function in design is considered more broadly than in the technical field. It is perceived both as an object and as a factor of design activity. This is a characteristic that determines the actual performance of the product of its purpose, the action of a material object to change the parameter of another material object. This is the purpose of a thing in connection with its implementation by the consumer. In design, the concept of function expands to the concept of "purpose" — the scope, scope and even purpose of application, and in some cases is identified with the concept of "process" — the course, sequence of events and states in any phenomenon or type of activity.

V. Glazychev, in his numerous works on design, used the most general definition: a function is a generalized task put forward in the process of the evolution of matter in specific historical conditions ^[10].  Consequently, a concrete thing always acts as a social category, as a historically formed functional and constructive structure "function–construction–form". In philosophical and socio-cultural understanding, this problem appears as follows: the multivariance of derived functions can exist due to the development of civilizations and the stratification of society. In the metaphysical context of the correlation of the elements of the form–function system, the concepts of monofunctionalism (bad) and multifunctionality (good) arise as an idealistic desire to satisfy users ^[14]. 

If the form of an object is a carrier of the artistic principle, then the function is an element that determines its functionality. Therefore, the property of an object that characterizes its ability to perform a certain set of functions is called functionality. In the functionality of the projected object, in its techno-form, the designer accumulates a socio-cultural need and implements it in the morphological properties of the object. To do this, he first of all identifies the technical function of the object and presents its functionality in technical effects. A technical function is a set of parameters of a technoform. Functional aspects of design are less subjective than aesthetic aspects ^[14]. Any thing in design must be functional, unlike a work of art, an art object, and can have two or more functions in one object. For example, modern household and information computing equipment are characterized by a high level of versatility: household combines, cell phones and a personal computer implement many heterogeneous functions. Hence, the definition of multifunctionality in design follows – it is the ability to perform several, many functions. Terms such as polyfunctionality and universality can serve as a synonym.Multifunctionality in design as a whole means giving additional functionality to any object, leading to an expansion of the range of its use and application.

In everyday life, we are surrounded by a lot of multifunctional things that unite or transform urgent tasks. A person subconsciously strives for the universal use of household items that make his life easier. An example is a modern mobile phone that combines communication functions with the capabilities inherent separately to a computer, calculator, TV, compass, radar, pulse meter, rangefinder, camera, etc.

It can be considered that in design practice two approaches to the use of multifunctionality are applied: from the required function to the system implementing it and from the existing system to new functions. At the same time, such a criterion of form as ergonomics or usability is necessarily taken into account. The term "usability" can be considered as a synonym for the word "ergonomics" with the difference that the latter determines the minimality of specific physical efforts when using a thing, and the former – the final total degree of convenience, the measure of intellectual effort necessary to obtain the useful qualities of this thing and the speed of achieving a positive result when managing it.

The principle of design — the "aesthetic-usability effect" (Aesthetic-usability effect) states that of two objects with the same function, the more attractive outwardly seems more convenient ^{[16, p. 20]}. Usability – "usability" in combination with functionality is increasingly pushing modern designers to create projects with the maximum degree of convenience of their operation, and, consequently, saturation of the subject with several functions. Striving for convenience with an integrated design approach, allows you to achieve the best synergy of all the constituent elements of the form. It is this principle that is taken into account in such a concept as the manufacturability of design. Processability in design is that derivative growing from the analysis of functional requirements in the development of design project concepts.

The functional characteristics of the product can thus be combined and complemented, giving rise to new phenomenal structures and systems. Technical unification of working tools creates original designs based on the synergy of electrics, optics, mechanics and information technology. The mass and ergonomics of objects, their resource and functionality are changing. Therefore, the regularity of the development of scientific and technological progress has given rise to such a definition as multifunctionality in various fields of human activity. The integration of elements of previously disparate structures in the field of architecture and construction creates prerequisites for the realization of multifunctionality as the basis of modern design design. The possibility of using the variety of these forms meets the conjuncture, trends and tasks set for designers and architects.

The following groups of methods are most often used to achieve multifunctionality in design design: combining carriers of functions, transformation, movement from relationships, interactions, conditions, properties and resources to functions. It is also important to take into account the time factor: how different functions can be implemented in time: simultaneously or at different moments, but within one stage of the functioning of the system (a specific thing or environment).

The topic of multifunctionality in design design is inextricably linked with the possibility of transformation or transformation of forms and spaces by modular redesign, depending on the task being solved at the moment. The use of the "modular principle" in design design allows us to constructively expand the options for shaping, the need for the implementation of which is dictated by consumer demands and the development of technologies ^{[18, p. 85]}. In design theory, this technique is also called structural shaping ^[22]. Many researchers have been engaged in the creation of multivariate formative solutions of an object whose elements would be structured in various ways ^{[13, 21-23]}. Structural or multivariate shaping relies on a single geometric structure from which the entire form is assembled. Such a structural unit resembles a universal module – fragments of spatial structures are created on its basis. In this case, not the image, but the module becomes the primary basis of the form. Such spatial and modular structures, as a rule, have different purposes – from a structural element, the shell of a building, to a fragment of the landscape. For example, in subject design, a modular approach to shaping can be demonstrated by adding or subtracting modules of basic forms, which future designers must necessarily master in higher educational institutions (Fig.1).

Fig. 1. a) b)

a) the method of adding modules with a basic form;

b) the method of subtracting modules from the basic form ^{[17, p.7]}.

The use of structural elements at the heart of the projected structure has made it possible to significantly diversify the formation of complex design forms and to achieve multivariance in the creation of multifunctional household items and universal design and architectural concepts. Abstract modeling and creation of new expressive objects with the help of basic simple geometric shapes is carried out, as a rule, according to the principle of using the following techniques: addition, subtraction, crushing, slice, conjugation to create new ones. In this case, modules can be either an integral part of the main form, performing the main function, or additional elements of the form in order to perform additional functions. Achieving multifunctionality is involuntarily associated with the process of transformation or transformation of the shape of the object. When changing the form, the designer usually has to solve the following tasks:

- change the shape by changing the size and number of its elements-modules;

- change the shape by changing the location of the module elements;

- change the shape by changing the structure or structure itself, using operations such as deformation of the original shape (stretching, compression, bending, twisting, etc.).

The main stages of the methodology for searching for new system functions through transformation and identifying new functions of the modified system are: forecasting, computer modeling, prototyping of the simplest models, obtaining the results of a possible transformation of the system and its system environment and analyzing the possibility of implementing new functions using the resulting transformers.

Based on the study of the interface facets of concepts such as form and function in design, it can be concluded that the modular approach of building a multifunctional complex can also be applied to the goals and specific tasks of the project being created. It is believed that modular design assumes constructive, technological and functional completeness. As a result, the use of various module designs contributes to the growth of economic potential, operational modernization of product parts and their interchangeability.

Based on the above, it can be concluded that the most promising solution to multifunctional problems in the field of design is the use of a modular approach. It follows from this that, initially, multifunctionality was a factor in the emergence of such a concept as a modular approach in design design.

It is possible to distinguish external and internal factors of multifunctional design design (Fig. 2). We have attributed to the external social, scientific, technical and production conditions of the development of design in the historical perspective, which at each new stage impose new requirements on the manufacturability and quality of design objects. The word "progress" should be understood as the use of new materials and technologies, connection with science and technology, defining a new attitude to the form and content of the subject. Among the internal factors, we attributed the already mentioned necessary properties of multifunctional design – multivariance, ergonomics, usability and efficiency of the final version. As a rule, already at the stage of developing design solutions and creating draft projects, the designer identifies the tasks of the technical request or the needs of the customer by distributing them in a flowchart, their correlation with each other and their possible optimization in spatial embodiment.

Fig. 2. Factors of multifunctional design.

Among the positive qualities of multifunctional objects and systems can be noted such as – improvement of consumer properties, reduction of mass and occupied volume, reduction of the number of elements. The negative characteristics of multifunctional devices include more intensive use of the object.

Although design solutions are inextricably linked with ergonomic ones, there are certain differences between them. The basic principles of ergonomics, according to which spaces are created for living and working, i.e. for performing certain functional processes, are functional zoning, safety, convenience. Design solutions additionally include cultural-semantic and socio-subject content. They are more influenced by fashion, time and the psychology of the customer ^[7]. Ergonomic solutions are focused more on technical tasks and techniques for organizing space. Therefore, ergonomics is an inseparable component of design solutions, which has found expression in the term "ergodesign" ^[12].

When developing design solutions for multifunctional objects or objects, as a rule, designers use particular methods or techniques to achieve multifunctionality (Fig. 3). However, general trends in design design in this area can lead to the development of general algorithms in each type of design; and to the creation of methodological materials for the analysis of needs, tasks, resources and search for design solutions.

Fig. 3. Methodology of multifunctional design design. 

Another important factor in a multifunctional approach is cost–effectiveness. Various functions connected together in one thing or complex eliminate the need to purchase various units, and a well-chosen multifunctional complex is in demand all year round. The same applies to a multifunctional urban environment. The versatility is due in this case to two reasons. Firstly, the underdeveloped infrastructure of nearby territories forces designers to put several functions in one space. For example, the courtyard of a residential complex may include a quiet recreation area, a children's playground, an area with sports equipment, etc. Secondly, the modern urban environment is becoming more diverse. It includes trade, business, and recreational functions. Open spaces are connected to offices, cinemas, libraries, shops, sports grounds. In order to harmonize the coexistence of all these functions in one space, architects and designers offer solutions in which public and personal functions are placed on different levels. Multifunctional buildings and complexes are formed from individual rooms, their groups, buildings and structures with various purposes, the combination of which is due to many factors.

If in the design of a particular thing several functions can exist on equal positions (a food processor), then in the urban environment (streets, open spaces) and architectural complexes the main (dominant) functions remain, and additional functions are added to them. In a modern urban environment, open space has a wider set of functions than was offered in the past. For example, new recreational functions are being added to the historical city centers or shopping streets of many cities, places for recreation, open-air exhibitions, etc. have begun to be located here.

In conclusion, we can note the following. The theoretical substantiation of multifunctionality as a basic principle of designing design objects has shown that several tasks are solved in the process of the methodology of such design: efficiency, comfort and convenience, ergonomics in use or usability, resource savings in manufacturing, etc. The accompanying multifunctional design design criteria are the modular principle, manufacturability and aesthetic appeal.

In a broader sense, the principle of multifunctionality is applicable to the formation of the environment as a whole and is associated with the design of residential and public interiors; exhibition and museum expositions; landscape design in combination with water bodies; the creation of outdoor furniture and equipment and advertising in the urban environment. Multifunctional design or mixed use is the practice of urban planning, involving the possibility of various uses of buildings or construction complexes, combining and combining residential, commercial, industrial, administrative land use.

Systematization of disparate knowledge in this field, identification of general conditions for the formation of multifunctional objects will fill in the gaps in design theory, will contribute to the design of a comfortable universal humanized human habitat.