Design Solutions of Residential Buildings for Single Mothers

   An interest in creating specialized co-working spaces for single mothers has emerged recently and indicates that the topic has not been sufficiently developed. Traditional housing solutions do not consider the need for infrastructure, which is critical for оne-рarent families with children.

   Purpose: The purpose of the work is to develop the social housing typology for the designated population category.

   To achieve this goal, five foreign projects are analyzed: Evolv, WILLI, Housing for Single Parents, No to Violence Shelter, Repos Maternity.

   Methodology/approach: Based on a comparative analysis of five objects, the types of architectural and spatial organization and the infrastructure integration in social housing are identified. The projects under review implement a central, self-contained urban development model that combines industrial, residential, and recreational infrastructure. Four of the five facilities offer private, subsidized rental housing, and three are designed for temporary housing.

   Research findings: All projects are located on the outskirts, due to the need to build the necessary infrastructure on moderately priced land. Architectural solutions such as glass-enclosed spaces and common rooms on each floor have a direct impact on mental and emotional well-being, helping to reduce cognitive and emotional stress for both parents and children.

   Practical implications: The use of solar panels and green roofs in these projects demonstrates that these technologies are economically viable even in subsidized housing.

1. Kiyanenko, K.V. Development of a Socio-functional Model of a Public Residential Complex. Vologda: Vologda State Technical University, 2010. 24 p. (In Russian)

2. Kutuzov, V.V. Housing Provision in a Socially Oriented Market Economy. Moscow: Central Research Institute of Experimental and Standard Housing Design, 1994. 290 p. (In Russian)

3. Ogienko, E.L. Typology of Social Housing for Young People in Europe, America, Asia in the 20^th–21^st Centuries. Academia. Arkhitektura i stroitel'stvo. 2024; (3): 176–184. doi: 10.22337/2077-9038-2024-3-176-184 (In Russian)

4. Dalla Caneva, A., Bertolazzi, A. De vliesgevel in the Netherlands between Construction and Representation. Past and Present-Day Experiences in Social Housing. ТЕМА. 2024; (3): 9. DOI: 10.10.30682/тема100009

5. The state of housing in Europe in 2021. Available: www.housingeurope.eu/the-state-of-housing-in-europe-in-2021/ (accessed July 9, 2026).

6. Braae, E., Steiner, H., Riesto, S., Glaser, M. Examining the Publicness of Spaces on European Social Housing Estates: A Position Paper. Architectural Research Quarterly. 2023; 27(2): 143–157. DOI: 10.1017/S1359135523000155

7. Ogienko, E. Typology of Social Housing in Europe and Asia in the 20–21^st Centuries. Academia. Arkhitektura i stroitel'stvo. 2026; (1): 166–174. doi: 10.22337/2077-9038-2026-1-166-174 (In Russian)

8. Kutsalo, O. Principles of Social Housing Development in Spain. Scientific Collection ‘Inter-Conf+’. 2024; 41(185): 556–573. DOI: 10.51582/interconf.19-20.01.2024.065

9. Lopes, F., Figueiredo, L., Gil, J., Trigueiro, E. Evaluating the Impact of Social Housing Policies: Measuring Accessibility Changes when Individuals Move to Social Housing Projects. Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science. 2023; 51(7): 1513–1530. DOI: 10.1177/23998083231218774

10. Kolgashkina, V.A. Public-residential Complexes with an Integrated Business Component. PhD Abstract. Moscow, 2015. 33 p. (In Russian)

11. Edwards, B., Lock, D. (Eds.) Sustainable Housing: Principles & Practice. London, New York: E & FN Spon, 2000. 154 p. ISBN 978-1-135-80495-4.

12. Anisimov, L.Yu. Principles of Forming the Architecture of Adaptable Housing. PhD Thesis. Moscow, 2009. 210 p. (In Russian)

13. Gyul Ahmedov, A.I. Residential Buildings with Flexible Apartment Structures (Methodological Proposals on the Example of Baku), Vol. 1. PhD Thesis. Baku, 1983. 145 p. (In Russian)

14. Arancibia Tagle, A.A. The Social Re-signification of Housing: A Design Guide for Santiago de Chile, Vol. 1. PhD Thesis. London: Architectural Association School of Architecture, 2016. 331 p.

15. Kiyanenko, K.V. Modern Market Housing: Architectural Typology, Sociology, Economics and Management. Vologda: Vologda State University, 1999. 93 p. (In Russian)

16. Bigonnesse, C., Weeks, L., Puplampu, V., Paris, M. Cohousing Communities and Social Determinants of Health in Later Life: A Scoping Review Protocol. JBI Evidence Synthesis. 2023; 21(6): 1337–1343. DOI: 10.11124/JBIES-22-00068

17. Fraser, J.C., Bazuin, J.T., Chaskin, R. Making Mixed-income Neighborhoods Work for Low-Income Households. Cityscape: A Journal of Policy Development and Research. 2013; 15(2): 83–100. DOI: 10.1080/10511482.2012.737408

18. Wang, H., Fang, N., Li, X. Exploring Differences Between Daily Activity Spaces and Access to Urban Resources in Suburban Affordable Housing Based on the Different Income Groups: A Case of Nanjing, China. Sustainability. 2025; (17): 561. DOI: 10.3390/su17020561

19. Lee, K.E., Chan, W.V. Introduction: housing and community building. In: Inclusive Housing Management and Community Wellbeing. 2024. Pp. 1–22. ISBN 978-981-97-2132-0.

20. McDonald, J.F. Affordable Housing: An Economic Perspective. Architecture_MPS. 2015; 7(3): 1–16. DOI: 10.14324/111.444.amps.2015v7i3.001