What do you show the visitors of Zodchestvo within the framework of the special project "PE-Sustainability"
We are demonstrating a project of a residential complex completed by students of the Master's program "Prototyping Future Cities" at the Shukhov Lab international laboratory at the Higher School of Economics. Young architects with the participation of international experts have been developing this project for six months. The result is a full-fledged city block of eight residential buildings, designed for a thousand people and based on the concept of sustainable architecture. We see it as a completely realistic project that meets modern standards.
The main message from which we proceeded together with the students is that cities should have a distributed, polycentric structure. Today's Moscow is monocentric, and the main activity takes place within, if not the Garden, then the Third Transport Ring. For a more comfortable life for citizens, it is better if "hotbeds of activity" are spread throughout the city, and in each district there will be a service sector, and jobs, and social facilities.
There are several more important principles underlying the project. This is, firstly, sustainability, which includes the use of environmentally friendly materials in construction, as well as functioning on the basis of alternative energy sources, water recovery and waste recycling. Secondly, it is a multifunctional use of space. And finally, a well-thought-out and developed social component.
What sustainable technologies are you going to use?
Today, European countries strive to ensure that, after 2020, all new buildings will have a close to zero energy balance, the so-called nearly zero-energy buildings (NZEBs). With close to zero - because it is difficult to completely disconnect from centralized power lines. Before starting the design, we, together with our students, visited Barcelona, where the former chief architect of the city, Vicente Guayart, and other experts shared their experience in the field of green energy with us. Upon our return, we analyzed the insolation of Moscow during the year and came to the conclusion that, although there is not enough solar energy in our climate, it is possible with the help of solar panels, small wind turbines, geothermal energy and biofuels to reduce electricity consumption from the citywide network by 60%. It’s not easy, but it’s quite real.
In the construction of residential buildings, we suggest using wood-based composite panels (Cross-Laminated Timber, CLT). There are already examples of high-rise buildings and skyscrapers made of wood in the world. This idea seems to us very suitable for Russia with our timber reserves. The only thing that currently limits its use in high-rise construction is the regulations: according to fire safety standards, only five-story buildings can be built from wood. Meanwhile, modern panels are fireproof, durable and safe. But here we already come to a big discussion of outdated building codes that run counter to the current situation and technology.
Technology is always a means. What goals are important for people and the economy when designing with the use of the latest developments?
All technologies have important social and economic dimensions. If we know how to create housing, partially cut off from the central energy supply, then we can go into extreme climatic conditions, where it is difficult and costly to build energy supply systems. Wooden house building is a promising industry that needs to be developed as opposed to traditional concrete construction.
In addition, we take into account social aspects. For example, on the roof of the stylobate and in the courtyard of our residential block, it is planned to set up a garden based on the principles of Urban Gardens, a fairly popular and widespread social movement that is actively developing in Spain, Scandinavia, the United States and other countries of the world. People are provided with plots of land specially designated for vegetable gardens and orchards where they can grow vegetables and herbs. This is not an economic movement, but rather a social and ecological one - urban gardens are needed to relax and maintain contact with nature, which is so necessary for residents of megacities. In addition to gardens, our project envisages rooftop greenhouses and a farm with artificial lighting (LED farming), which will belong to restaurants and cafes and where it will be possible to grow environmentally friendly products. Irrigation will be carried out with treated "gray" and rainwater.
We are also talking about the sharing economy - the so-called sharing economy. In our complex, the areas are distributed as follows: 65% is occupied by housing for acquisition of ownership, 10% is housing for rent, 20% of the area is for commercial space and 5% is allocated for experimental businesses, such as fablabs and coworking spaces. This is the most economically viable model.
Who is the main audience for your special project at the festival?
We would like as many visitors as possible to know about us. Modern ideas inspire many architects who get acquainted with our project. It would be great to connect with interested investors and build a prototype of this block, which can be used as an example to demonstrate these technologies and principles. Citizens should also learn about the latest developments. Within the framework of Zodchestvo, a lecture will be held in which we will tell you in detail about sustainable housing, show modern global practices, and students of Shukhov Lab will present the results of their pre-project research.
The practices we offer are already used all over the world. We have only combined them and invite you to see how this could happen in Moscow - for now, at least in the form of a project.
