City Desk — Architecture & Housing

A new design board labeled in Russian as «Многоэтажный жилой дом»—literally “Multi‑Storey Residential Building”—has been released by the project team, offering a precise view of a contemporary mid‑rise apartment block. The board consolidates street elevations, typical floor plans, a 3D massing model, and site context diagrams. Below is a clean, English‑only rundown of what the graphics show, followed by a step‑by‑step tour through the building from street to roof, and a brief glossary correcting the key Russian terms.

Fast Facts (translated and simplified)

• Building type: Multi‑storey residential (mid‑rise).
• Height: Approximately seven to eight above‑ground levels, including a ground floor and several repeating residential floors (final count set in working drawings).
• Circulation core: Central elevator lobby with two staircases for safe egress.
• Unit mix: A blend of 1‑bedroom, 2‑bedroom, and larger family apartments distributed around the core.
• Private outdoor space: Balconies/loggias on most units.
• Façade language: Clean modern geometry, alternating light and dark cladding bands, recessed balconies.
• Ground interface: Accessible entries, benches, and landscaped paths indicated in the streetscape images.

Step‑by‑Step: How the Building Works

1) Site Setting and Ground Plane

The lower‑left photos on the board show pedestrian‑friendly edges: a paved walkway, benches, and accessible ramps. The ground floor plan indicates primary entrances set back from the street under a weather‑protected canopy. In many mid‑rise schemes like this, the ground level holds the lobby, mail/parcel room, stroller/bicycle storage, and building services. The plan here follows that pattern: the circulation core (elevator + stairs) sits near the center so residents have short, direct paths to their apartments.

Why this matters: placing the core centrally reduces corridor length, improves fire safety routes, and evens out travel time to each apartment.

2) The Core: Elevators and Stairs

The dark heavy lines on the plans define the shear‑wall core—the structural “spine” that resists wind and seismic loads. Inside it are:

• Elevator(s) opening to a lift lobby.
• Two staircases meeting code for protected escape in an emergency.
• Service shafts (plumbing, electrical, ventilation) stacked vertically so risers line up floor to floor.

Technician tip: Stacked shafts keep costs down, simplify maintenance, and make bathrooms/kitchens easier to lay out directly against the core or exterior walls.

3) Typical Residential Floor Plate

Moving up a level, the typical floor plan shows units arranged in a ring around the core. Apartments are shaded in two tones—likely distinguishing unit types or sale/rental phases. Most homes have:

• Entry vestibule that buffers the corridor.
• Combined living/dining facing the façade for daylight.
• Compact kitchens set on plumbing stacks.
• 1–3 bedrooms, depending on unit size.
• Balconies or loggias—recessed outdoor rooms that read as light grey boxes on the elevation.

Good practice on display: The living spaces and bedrooms face outward to maximize natural light and ventilation, while service spaces (baths, storage) hug the core.

4) Corner and Bay Units

At the building corners, you’ll notice stepped façades. Those jogs create dual‑aspect apartments, which improve cross‑ventilation and give residents two view directions—a premium feature in compact floor plates.

5) Noise, Privacy, and Structure

Heavy wall lines indicate structural walls/columns, strategically placed to:

• Isolate bedrooms from lift lobbies.
• Break up sound transmission between units.
• Carry loads efficiently to foundations.

Floors appear to repeat above a transfer level (suggested by one plan with fewer interior walls), which may accommodate parking or retail at grade in some variants, though this board emphasizes residential use.

6) Elevations: What You See from the Street

Four elevations show a calm, modern façade:

• Horizontal balcony bands emphasize each storey.
• Vertical dark panels punctuate the mass and visually slim the building.
• Recessed loggias provide shadow depth, protecting windows from rain and summer sun.

Why it’s sensible: The façade isn’t just pretty; the recesses improve thermal comfort, and the repeated balcony rhythm keeps construction modular.

7) Upper Levels and Roof

One drawing shows a top floor with fewer apartments—likely a setback level for terraces or a technical floor. The roof diagram suggests mechanical rooms (elevator machinery, ventilation plants) and open areas that could support solar arrays or green roof in a later phase, subject to engineering.

8) Access and Inclusivity

Ground photos include gentle ramps and wide entries—signs the scheme targets universal accessibility. With the elevator core centered, wheelchair access to every apartment is achievable, provided door widths and threshold details follow standards.

9) Fire and Life Safety

Two enclosed stairs, a fire‑rated core, and short travel distances point to a robust egress strategy. Typical multi‑storey codes would also require:

• Sprinklers or dry risers, depending on jurisdiction.
• Refuge areas or fire‑resistant lobbies at elevator doors.
• Pressurization for stairwells to keep smoke out.

The board’s layout supports these requirements cleanly.

10) Construction Logic

From a builder’s standpoint, the plan is highly regular:

• Stacked wet walls simplify plumbing.
• Repetitive unit modules speed up formwork and MEP routing.
• Limited façade types (balcony modules + wall panels) control costs.

This is the kind of drawing contractors like: crisp cores, repeating bays, few surprises.

Corrected English Glossary (from the Russian labels)

• Многоэтажный жилой дом → Multi‑Storey Residential Building
• Фасад → Facade/Elevation
• План этажа → Floor Plan (Level Plan)
• Лестница → Stair
• Лифт / Лифтовой холл → Elevator / Lift Lobby
• Квартира → Apartment/Flat
• Лоджия → Loggia (recessed balcony)
• Технический этаж → Technical/Service Floor
• Секция → Building Section/Wing
• Вентиляционная шахта → Ventilation Shaft

All key captions can be read accurately in English using the glossary above.

What Happens Next: A Simple Roadmap

1. Design Development: Finalize apartment layouts, structural grid, façade details, and building services. Lock in acoustic ratings and window specs.
2. Permitting: Submit code drawings covering egress, accessibility, fire strategy, and energy performance.
3. Procurement: Tender repetitive elements first—windows, balcony rails, prefabricated bathrooms (if used).
4. Construction Phase:
   • Substructure: Foundations and basement (if any).
   • Superstructure: Core climbs first, then slabs and exterior walls.
   • Façade & MEP: Install balcony modules, cladding, risers.
   • Fit‑Out: Partitions, doors, kitchens, finishes, testing and commissioning.
5. Handover & Occupancy: Staged completion floor by floor; final certifications and move‑ins.

Why This Design Is Newsworthy

Cities need high‑quality, high‑density housing that still feels livable. This blueprint checks the technical boxes—efficient core, good daylight, strong egress, clean façades—while offering real residential comfort through balconies, dual‑aspect corners, and quiet bedrooms. It’s a buildable, maintainable, and resident‑friendly scheme that can scale across neighborhoods without overwhelming the streetscape.