The article is devoted to the creativity of the prominent Catalan architect Antonio Gaudi y Cornet (1852–1926). The individual stories of his life largely determined his choice of future profession. The main stages are described for his professional education at the University and the Higher School of Architecture in Barcelona. Shown are his stylistic preferences in the world architecture and design, the specific features of his construction activities. Only the two most famous projects by Antonio Gaudi y Cornet on the urban development are considered. Their design is performed in the Catalanian art Nouveau (Modernisme) in combination with elements of bionic architecture. Among them is the Park Güell in Barcelona (1900–1914) and Colonia Güell Crypt, Santa Coloma de Cervelló (1898–1917.). The latter playes the role of scientific and experimental laboratory, in which Antonio Gaudi y Cornet searched for the original bionic forms and made constructive decisions, including the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Barcelona, which was his career.

Purpose:The aim of this paper is to examine factors influencing the functional purpose and planning structure of Zaozer’e historical region of the city of Tomsk in the middle of 19^th and early 20^th centuries. These factors involve the development of shipping, food and forest industries, construction of factories and enterprises and the Trans-Siberian railway. Methodo­logy/approach: This research uses bibliographic, archival and graphic materials, including Tomsk plan maps of the 17–20^th centuries, which show the influence of the industrial zone on the functional purpose and planning structure of Zaozer’e region. Determined are factors which define the development of the Zaozer'e region. Based on the considered socio-economic factors, a deeper study of Zaozer’e region is performed as well as its planning analysis for the mentioned time period. Research findings: The development of shipping, food and forest industries, construction of factories and enterprises and the Trans-Siberian railway is described. Plants built in 19–20^th centuries had a direct impact on the development of Zaozer’e, thereby predetermining its functional purpose and planning structure. It was found out that initially this region was a residential area originated from Znamenskaya church and developed northwards. Inadequacy and low living standards of Zaozer’e remained during the 19^th century. By the end of this century, with the development of trade links between cities and the availability of information and knowledge, Zaozer’e region acquired a new functional significance in Tomsk urban zoning. Its location in the northern part of the city and the proximity to Trans-Siberian Railway determined its territory as an industrial region. The industrial upsurge of the 1990s was superseded by the great economic and political crisis at the beginning of the 20^th century. The growing confrontation between two political regimes in the country, resulted in unemployment, hunger, and deterioration of working conditions at Zaozer’e plants. With the end of the revolution, all enterprises started to function properly, were nationalized, and began to operate in other socioeconomic conditions. Practical implications: Based on data collected from historical documents, certificates, and schemes of Zaozer’e development, a detailed representation is given not only to the urban development, but also the socioeconomic factors influencing this region. Research results describe the development and improvement of Zaozer’e region. New facts on its historical development are found. Originality/value: So little is known at present about this Tomsk region that this paper repeatedly emphasizes the relevance and novelty of the research.

The article studies small towns of the Krasnoyarsk Krai at the railway hubs (Zaozernyy, Ilanskii) with the aim to identify its further development. Insufficient conditions outflow of population, low quality of life, lack of enterprises and jobs lead to degradation of towns, which developed until the end of the 20^th century. Concept of urban development in the Krasnoyarsk Krai at the railway nodes are determined. Research results can underlie town-planning documentation, in particular, Zaozernyy and Ilanskii towns, land use and general layouts, development concept and strategy.

The paper considers the problem of organization of the objective-spatial environment for children in public buildings. Children's corners appear today in administrative buildings, banks, libraries, clinics, shops, airports, etc. The analysis of leisure spaces shows that the spatial and functional parameters of such places depend on their size and function and the time of the adult's stay there. A children's corner typology is proposed herein. There are open and closed children's corners. The design and functioning of the objective-spatial environment for children depend on the type of leisure activities. The described principles of multifunctionality and transformability of objective-spatial environment elements allow increasing leisure activities in small space. The main elements include seats, places for activities and storage and are determined by the functional purpose of children’s corners

Purpose: The purpose of this work is to study and analyze the stages of formation and development of the first filling stations abroad, prerequisites, functional zoning, design solutions and their influence on the urban development. Design/methodology/approach: Research includes on-site investigations, analysis of regulatory documents, systematization of books and old photographs. Research findings: The development stages and design solutions of the spatial environment are determined for filling stations as an independent object of small architecture; the vehicle effect on the urban development and design of the first filling stations. Practical implications: Research results can be used to determine a position of filling stations in the small architecture classifier, suggest functional principles for a filling station territory, and connect the filling station design and development in a unifying process. Originality/value: For the first time, historical prerequisites are deter-mined for the filling station construction, the functional and design solutions are suggested for the formation of a corporate style of filling stations.

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to study the relationship between the architectural characteristics of shopping centres and their safety. The scope of the study covers the architectural means which create a safe building environment. The author suggests to reduce criminality by means of architecture, urban and landscape design. These means can be applied after carrying out five analyses of a future architectural and master plan of building. The main stages of the safety performance are described and the architectural safety algorithm is developed either for future or existing buildings. Methodology/Design: Efforts are made to adapt and naturalize the proposed principles to shopping centres in Russia. A safety assessment method is derived and a more subtle approach to creating safe shopping centres is developed. The methodological basis of the study includes: analysis of examples of modern shopping centres designed with possible threats of criminal nature; comparative analysis of research and design approaches to a safe architectural environment; analysis of scientific and normative documents on minimization of  criminal accidents in shopping centres; comparative analysis of principles, means and design techniques which increase the safety level of buildings; individual space classification by the level of access and required safety protection. Findings and results: A study of the safety principles is carried out with adaptation to shopping centres. The main types of crime accidents are identified according to the specificity of shopping centres. The main safety principles (territory, access monitoring, surveillance, etc.) are adapted to this type of buildings. A study of examples and recommendations on shopping centres allows identifying the main design algorithms for shopping centres accounting for the safety protection. A comparison of different types of threats and relevant architectural and planning protection methods allows detecting the main safety means for shopping centres. Practical implications: Architectural and planning methods of decriminalizing shopping centres can be used in reconstruction or design of new buildings; a comprehensive analysis of safety and recommendations on decriminalization can be used in reconstruction of existing buildings; a design algorithm for shopping centres can be implemented in new building design. Originality/value: Architectural means determine the formation of safe and protected shopping centres; development of design approaches to safety protection and individual building types; comprehensive analysis provides the evaluation of the building safety including the hierarchy of spaces and domains, visibility, stream of people, etc.; design algorithm is proposed taking into account the safety requirements and recommendations on the use of architectural means for shopping centre safety.

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to develop the architectural and three-dimensional environment principles of supplementary vocational education institutions which influence the psychological climate, entrepreneurial attitude, beneficial perception of new knowledge and behaviour of teenagers including those with special developmental needs. Design/metho­dology: The historical and contemporary experience in design of supplementary vocational education institutions (SVEI) in Russia and abroad; in-situ examination and photography of SVEI with subsequent compilation of graphical and analytic diagrams and tables; identification of factors affecting the SVEI design; theoretical modelling and compilation of typological layouts for SVEI; a study and a multidimensional analysis of functional planning, three-dimensional and compositional parameters for identification of the main principles and formulation of recommendations on the influence of architectural neurotransmitters on the new-type SVEI in Russia; elaboration of the project experiment for the new-type SVEI. Findings: The proposed method of architectural neurotransmitters for SVEI design; the suggested category of ‘vocational aptitude space’ for the building design studios selected in conformity with occupations determined during social studies; the suggested three-dimensional solutions envisage a correlation with surrounding grounds; the identification of the general professional directions and the optimum area for the educational and recreational environments. The attempt is made to synthesize contemporary and vanguard styles. Research implications: The new-type SVEI allows not only to assist teenagers in getting specific skills, but also provide them with a space of vocational aptitude, efficient occupation, new attainments, and social relationships. The goal of a new-type SVEI is to provide the vocational orientation in a supportive academic setting as early as possible. An attempt is made to synthesize the modern and advance-guard styles. Architectural planting elements are suggested herein for SVEI design. Practical implications: The obtained research results and proposed recommendations can be useful for green architecture and the elaboration of regulatory documents for SVEI design and can be utilized as methodological guides for SVEI exterior and interior design. A SVEI should be integrated in the public park situated on the Yauza riverside and indented for inhabitants of the Moscow regions. Research results can be used in the preparation of programs and tasks of SVEI design. Originality/value: It is necessary to create both the developing academic environment and SVEI typology of a new type. The architectural environment of such institutions should become, first of all, human-oriented institutions and afford teenagers the  maximum facilities for their self-expression and self-improvement.

The paper deals with the development of commercial or private public gardens in Tomsk-city. Historical gardens such as ‘Altai’, ‘Hermitage’, ‘Buff’ are considered in details. Documents from the State Archives of Tomsk Region, the Tomsk Museum of Local Lore, the Russian State Archives were used during the studies. New archival materials and iconographic and publicistic documents give an idea of historical public gardens. The results of performed research permit to graphically determine the location, boundaries and general planning structure of gardens.

The paper presents a study of the noise-protective shield effectiveness which are located at the road junction in Baltiyskaya street in the city of Tomsk. The noise level is measured along the noise-protective shield using a new measurement technique. The obtained results are compared compliance with the regulatory documents on noise protection in urban areas. It is shown that noise-protective shields significantly reduce the noise level up to allowable values. The effect of noise interference is manifested as a  periodic noise redistribution behind the shields.

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to evaluate and compare heat-insulating properties of various beam structures depending on their geometry and thermophysical parameters of wooden elements and insulating materials, which are used both under stationary and non-stationary conditions of heat transfer, including cyclic changes in the outside air temperature.Design technique: The numerical simulation is performed for non-stationary heat transfer which occurs in external walling systems made of profiled beams with connectors. Based on the obtained results, the temperature fields and heat fluxes in the selected inhomogeneous fragments are calculated.Results: The appropriate heat-insulating properties are determined and compared with a view to use them in considered beam structures. The reduction in heat-insulating properties is evaluated for the non-stationary heat exchange and the walling system elements. The degree of thermal stability is determined  for the walling systems made of profiled beams with horizontal and vertical connectors made of veneer wood.Practical implications: The obtained results can be used in new design of heat-insulating profiled beams with vertical and horizontal connectors internded for the production of energy-efficient external alling systems in low-rise house building.Originality/value: The influence of inhomogeneous sections of walling systems on temperature fields and heat fluxes is investigated for non-stationary thermal conductivity. The investigation results show that heat-insulating properties of walling systems made of profiled beams with H-shaped vertical connectors made of veneer wood with the inner longitudinal lamella, greatly exceed heat-insulating properties of other beam structures considered in the paper.

Relevance: Numerical simulation is provided for the stress-strain state of a pile-foundation brick building with the additional structure. The simulation is performed with MicroFe computer system which creates a model of the base – foundation – superstructure system. In this model, finite elements represent the piles. Purpose: The aim of the paper is to perform the finite element analysis of the base – foundation – superstructure system deformation and compare the theoretical and experimental results. Methodology/approach: Two approaches to the numerical simulation are used: 1) rigid foundation and 2) pliable foundation due to the pile displacement. Findings: The bay analysis based on the first approach shows that the stress values exceed the theoretical in some of the structures. The bay analysis based on the second approach shows that the reinforcement deficit amounts to less than 1 % as compared to the theoretical calculations. The obtained results on the estimated and actual displacement at the wall pedestal part show a 15 % difference. During constructing the additional structure, the calculated values of the stress achieve the maximum and exceed design values. With account of the piled foundation, the stress reduction is obtained in engineering structures. Results: The finite element model is designed for the base – foundation – superstructure system. As a result of comparison of theoretical and experimental results, the main parameters of the absolute and relative vertical pile displacement do not exceed the allowable values determined by the national standards.

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to evaluate and compare heat-insulating properties of various beam structures depending on their geometry and thermophysical parameters of wooden elements and insulating materials, which are used both under stationary and non-stationary conditions of heat transfer, including cyclic changes in the outside air temperature.Design technique: The numerical simulation is performed for non-stationary heat transfer which occurs in external walling systems made of profiled beams with connectors. Based on the obtained results, the temperature fields and heat fluxes in the selected inhomogeneous fragments are calculated.Results: The appropriate heat-insulating properties are determined and compared with a view to use them in considered beam structures. The reduction in heat-insulating properties is evaluated for the non-stationary heat exchange and the walling system elements. The degree of thermal stability is determined  for the walling systems made of profiled beams with horizontal and vertical connectors made of veneer wood.Practical implications: The obtained results can be used in new design of heat-insulating profiled beams with vertical and horizontal connectors internded for the production of energy-efficient external alling systems in low-rise house building.Originality/value: The influence of inhomogeneous sections of walling systems on temperature fields and heat fluxes is investigated for non-stationary thermal conductivity. The investigation results show that heat-insulating properties of walling systems made of profiled beams with H-shaped vertical connectors made of veneer wood with the inner longitudinal lamella, greatly exceed heat-insulating properties of other beam structures considered in the paper.

Purpose: The aim of this work is to improve the functioning conditions for building superstructures due to non-uniformity minimization of spread foundation settlements down to its ultimate value. Design technique: The main conditions and assumptions of the proposed design technique for shallow spread foundation calculation according to a given settlement are based on the analytical method. Settlement correction indices for the nonlinear stage of soil deformation are obtained experimentally in trough plate bearing tests. Findings: The reduction in the settlement non-uniformity of shallow spread foundations is provided by the proposed design technique which involves rather accurate analysis of foundation settlements. At the initial design stage of sizing the settlement, the non-linear soil deformation is used to provide the extension of the settlement value range. A nonlinearity factor of the elasto-plastic foundation is used to determine its settlement at a given stage of soil deformation. This factor is obtained from the volume change trajectory of the yielding area calculated with the following assumptions. For the linearly deformed half-space, the boundary of applicability is 1.1 of the initial critical soil pressure; when the foundation achieves the ultimate pressure (according to Coulomb's wedge theory), the yielding area volume also achieves a certain ultimate value; the foundation transition to the ultimate limit state is a complex, random process. Examination of the physical nature in the soil deformation analysis is improved by a transition from a piece-wise approximation of the dependence between the foundation base pressure and yielding area volume to the continuous function and the initial critical soil pressure introduced as a phase transformation criterion instead of the estimated resistance. The account for these conditions and deformation processes of different-density soils requires the improvement of design formulas. Therefore, we carry out trough plate bearing tests and introduce correction factors based on the results obtained. Their careful comparison with calculations of other authors and numerical simulation with the Mohr – Coulomb model, shows good agreement and proves the assumption correctness. Results: The proposed technique allows designing foundations using the predetermined settlement via its non-uniformity reduction down to the minimum allowable value, thereby avoiding the main weakness of the foundation design approach, i.e. the pressure balance under the foundation base using the design resistance. This pressure balance contributes to the different volume of foundation soils involved in work beneath, thereby causing the settlement non-uniformity. Calculations based on the settlement restriction prevent superstructures from crack propagation and provide the quality change in design of shallow spread foundations. Practical implications: Allowing for the non-linear soil deformation, the foundation base pressure can be increased relative to the soil design resistance. Hence, the foundation calculation will be less material-intensive due to the reduction in its size and labor costs during the construction. The developed BRNL-FT software package allows simplifying the proposed method which will be rather resource-efficient for foundation engineering. The proposed method can be used in spread foundation design, the safety factor for bearing capacity being ensured. Originality/value: Research results show good agreement between experimental data and theoretical calculations obtained by the proposed method. So does the comparison with results of other authors obtained within the pressure ranging between 1.1 of initial critical and 0.7 of ultimate at different values of soil density.

The paper presents research results on the analysis of ceramic brick manufactured with the addition blast-furnace sludge which is a waste of AO ‘EVRAZ’ metallurgical combine. The effect of the silica nanopowder is considered in relation to physical and mechanical properties of finished materials. It is found that the nanopowder addition in the amount of 0.05 wt.% leads to the compressive strength increase. The X-ray phase analysis show that the nanopowder addition increases the amount of quartz-containing components which represent mostly mullite- and anorthite-like compounds.

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to compare the frost resistance of composite and conventional gas concretes. The comparative analysis includes a theoretical substantiation of the ice formation and the frost resistance of composite and conventional gas concretes in freeze-thaw conditions. Methodology/materials: Cellular and polymer-hydrophobizated concretes are used in the experiment which includes frost-resistance tests of cellular concrete and studies of its structure modification. The obtained results on the abovementioned concretes are compared with those of traditional concretes. It is shown that the ice formation and movement observed in pores and capillaries of polymer-hydrophobizated concretes occur in absolutely different ways. Research findings: Since the frost resistance is one of  key factors of the durability of constructional materials,  the use of water soluble polymers allows creating a composite structure of cell walls in gas concrete which manifests a high dynamic strength. The flexibility of cell walls increases the strength properties of concrete, its frost resistance and flexure strength. Hydrophobic properties of polymer-hydrophobizated concretes lower the water absorption. Practical implications: The proposed composition of composite gas concrete can be recommended for large-scale implementation in construction industry. Value: Water soluble polymers have a positive effect on the hydration process of the cement binder, namely it retains water in the concrete structure, thereby hardening the material and exerting a synergism effect.

Relevance: The priority field in modern materials science in construction is the creation of cement compositions and technologies which will meet technological availability and efficiency, environmental safety, biocompatibility, natural balance, economic viability and energy resource conservation. Purpose: The aim of this work is to study a combined effect of the ultrasound and the constant magnetic field, both with predetermined frequency and intensity, and the effect of modified mixing water on the properties of cement systems. Methodology/approach: The experiment used an ultrasonic device USU-0707 to modify water properties, a magnetic system configuration for magnetic field processing of specimens, and DRON-4 diffractometer for the
X-ray phase analysis. In order to measure the compressive strength, (2×2×2)10^–2 m specimens were prepared from cement paste. The water/cement ratio was selected as 0.38. Findings: A combined processing of mixing water with the ultrasound and the constant magnetic field results in a substantial increase in service characteristics of the cement brick. In comparison with test specimens, its compressive strength increases by 30–45 %. Research implications: The ultrasonic dispersion of mixing water is accompanied by such processes as the formation of various short-living particles and states in water, cavitation and others which, in turn, are sensitive to the magnetic field. As a result, the reactive capacity of water in relation to cement sharply increases and, as a consequence, the growth in cement strength is observed. Practical implications: The proposed method of the ultrasonic and magnetic-field modification of mixing water can be readily used in the production of cement-based construction materials.

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to explore the structural conditions of cement brick using the Rietveld refinement at various isothermal hardening. Investigations include the qualitative phase analysis, phase redistribution depending on hardening time and temperature, and identification of lattice parameters and phase composition of cement brick. Design/methodo­logy/approach: Due to a multidemensional process of concrete hardening and individual operating capabilities, it is expedient to study the hydration process, structure and phase composition depending on isothermal hardening of cement brick. As a result, mechanisms of a quick achievement of strength properties, age-induced critical damages, and lifetime of concrete products are identified. It is found that at a hardening stage these factors are more intensive. The grade CEM I 42.5B Portalnd cement without mineral additives was investigated. Cement paste was heated up to the initial isothermal temperature of 40, 50 and 70 °С respectively for 6, 6 and 9 h. The X-ray diffraction analysis was carried out by DRON-4-07 diffractometer which was adapted to a digital signal processing. Measurements were conducted using copper radiation (K_a) and Bragg-Brentano X-ray optical scheme. Specifications for the DRON-4-07 included 0.020 scanning step; 16–81° range for angles to be scanned; 30 kV voltage; and 25 mA current. Phase composition was investigated in a hardening cement brick in accordance with the accepted mode of thermal specimen treatment. 40, 50 and 70 °С heating lasted for 0, 3, 6, 19, 30, 43, 54, 67; 0, 3, 6, 19, 30, 43 and 0, 3, 17, 27, 41, 51 hours, respectively. The quantitative phase analysis with the Rieteveld method identified the  contribution of certain mineral lattices to the integral X-ray intensity. A non-linear least-square method was used to evaluate the difference between the integral and experimental X-ray intensities depending on various profile, structure and phase composition of lattices. The energy of major tobermorite and deliate phases was obtained using ab initio calculations. Research findings: The quantitative phase analysis for 40 °С hardening shows that tobermorite, deliate and O₂₀Si₄Ca₇ phases predominate in cement brick during 3 h hardening and further. Within 3–30 h hardening time, the amount of afwillite phase grows, and considerably decreases with time. After 67 h hardening, tobermorite, deliate, reinhardbraunsite and Ca₅H₂O₁₀Si₂ phases predominate, while afwillite phase is unstable. At 50 °С hardening, tobermorite, deliate, afwillite are major phases at the in initial stage. The amount of tobermorite, deliate, Ca₅H₂O₁₀Si₂ phases increases. The initial amount of Ca₅H₂O₁₀Si₂ phase decreases with time, and redistributes into Ca₅H₂O₁₀Si₂ phase. After 54 h hardening the amount of calcium hydroxide grows. Afwillite phase predominates at 70 °С hardening. Its amount is high prior to isothermal heating and non-uniform in cement paste. Further this amount decreases down to 26.76 %, while the amount of tobermorite, deliate, Ca₅H₂O₁₀Si₂ phases increases up to 20.33 %. The quantitative phase analysis with the Rieteveld method and experimental results indicate that the hardening time and temperature have a great effect on the content of hydrated silicates in the cement brick. It is shown that tobermorite, deliate and Ca₅H₂O₁₀Si₂ phases are major. Hydrated silicates, tobermorite and deliate appear at a saturation stage which is supported by results on the phase energies. Practical implications: Research results can be used for the improvement of existing technologies and the development of new ones concerning the time reduction of strength generation of different-type concretes applied in Siberia, the Extreme North, and the Arctic region. Originality/value: The obtained results will allow identifying a set of structural parameters and conditions for a quick achievement of the appropriate structural and mechanical properties of concretes. A multilevel investigation of different types of concrete with various Portland cement compositions is rather new. Theoretical rules on general laws of strength generation will underlie the scientific solutions on the production of products recommended for applications in Siberia, the Extreme North, and the Arctic region.

The paper presents general information on the argillous raw material in Russia. It is found that the chemical composition of argillites is characterized by the increased contents of Al₂O₃, K₂O and iron oxides which vary respectively from 17 to 23 %, from 2.5 to 4.3 %, and from 4 to 7 %. The mineralogical composition of argillite includes hydromica of two types, such as isometric, which is the allotigenic component, and elongated-lamellar produced by a catagenetic process of montmorillonite transformation. The composition also contains kaolinite, chlorite, green earth, quartz, plagioclase. The main requirements for the road clinker bricks and ceramic tiles are given and the main trends in the production of these products are described.

Dependences are suggested for such sample parameters as strength, water absorption and density and the argillite grinding degree and calcination temperature. It is shown that due to finer argillite grinding  within 0–0.16 and 0–1.25 mm, the strength increases by 1.5–2.5 times. Due to the roasting temperature ranging 900 to 1100 °С , it increases by 2–4 times. Within these ranges, the required water absorption of less than 5 %, is achieved with grinding down to of 0–0.315 mm fractions and 1000 °C firing temperature and higher. Water absorption of less than 2.5 % required for clinker brick, is achieved with grinding down to 0–0.315 mm fractions and 1050 °C firing temperature and higher. The low-temperature sintering of argillite-based materials is rather perspective for the tile production.

The level of economic and technological efficiency of functioning of all industries of the regional economy largely depends on the development of the transport infrastructure. In this regard, the economical development and its entering a new level is a priority direction of the creation of a logistics cluster in the Rostov region. This paper proposes a methodology of the integrated assessment of the logistics cluster in terms of the assessment of the Rostov region territory.