Architectural Design

Why is a mistake in the architectural section the most costly?

The architectural section DD is the starting point for all related specialties: designers, utility network designers, estimators. The contradiction between the adopted architectural solution and design limitations or engineering requirements is revealed not at the drawing development stage, but at the installation stage - precisely when remodeling is most expensive. Low room heights, incorrectly designed evacuation routes, lack of technical areas for engineering equipment - each of these errors in section AR gives rise to cascading consequences for the entire project.

AYU-Project develops architectural and architectural-construction solutions in a unified coordinate system with structural and engineering sections. Developers and general contractors receive documentation without internal technical contradictions - before they become a problem on the construction site.

What does the Architectural Solutions (AR) section include under Government Decree of the Russian Federation No. 87?

Section “Architectural solutions” (brand AR) is a mandatory section DD for capital construction projects in accordance with Government Decree of the Russian Federation No. 87 dated 16.02.2008 No. 87 (ed. dated 21.10.2025) “On the composition of sections of project documentation and requirements for their content." Its composition and content are strictly regulated: the section forms the architectural appearance of the building, its space-planning structure and creates the technical basis for the development of all subsequent sections of DD.

The text part of the AR section includes:

• description and justification of the external and internal appearance of the building, color scheme and plastic facades;
• justification of volumetric-spatial and planning solutions: zoning, distribution of functional areas, heights of rooms, configuration of staircases and evacuation routes;
• description of architectural solutions that provide standardized environmental parameters: insolation, natural lighting, acoustics;
• measures to ensure accessibility of people with limited mobility in accordance with the requirements of SP 59.13330.2020;
• technical and economic indicators (TEI): areas, volumes, number of floors, territory utilization rates.
  

The graphic part of the AR section includes:

• master plan with TEI and a diagram of the planning organization of the land plot;
• floor plans with explication of premises (ground and standard floors for non-production facilities);
• building facades with color scheme;
• architectural sections revealing volumetric-spatial solutions;
• roof plan;
• additional materials for the design assignment.
  

How does the AS section differ from the AR section?

Section AS (architectural and construction solutions) combines two interrelated sections: AR (architectural solutions) and KR (structural solutions). If AR forms the architectural image and planning logic of the building, then KR translates these decisions into a structural system with calculations of load-bearing elements, reinforcement schemes, key details and specifications of metal structures. Together they form the complete architectural and construction basis of the facility.

In practice, a customer who requires a full-fledged DD to pass the state expert review receives from AYU-Project both sections in a single technical solution: the space-planning solutions of AR are implemented in the KR structural system without mutual contradictions, which eliminates the examination’s comments on the technical inconsistency of the sections.

Architectural developments: from concept to working documentation

Architectural design begins long before the DD stage - with a pre-design concept, within the framework of which the functional scenario of the building, the variability of planning solutions and integrated technical and economic indicators are formed. It is at this stage that the customer receives the tools to make key investment decisions: assessing the yield of space, the ratio of commercial and technical areas, the facade concept and site development parameters.

AYU-Project develops architectural solutions in three formats:

Design documentation stage is being developed in accordance with the requirements of Government Decree of the Russian Federation No. 87 dated 16.02.2008 No. 87 (as amended on 21.10.2025) “On the composition of sections of project documentation and requirements for their content.” The composition of the AR section is formed in a volume sufficient to pass state or independent expert review: a text part with the rationale for decisions made, a graphic part with plans, facades, sections, a general plan and technical specifications.

Working Documentation Stage (WD) - working documentation of the AR brand is developed in accordance with GOST 21.501-2018 “Rules for the implementation of working documentation of architectural and structural solutions”. Contains detailed drawings necessary for construction work: plans with the arrangement of partitions, detailed units, finishing layouts, specifications for filling openings and lists of room finishing.

Technical working project (DD+WD) - combined stage for objects that do not undergo state expert review. This is the optimal solution for commercial and industrial real estate, allowing you to reduce the total time from the start of design to entering the construction site.

What is included in the working documentation for section AR?

The working documentation of section AR is a complete set of drawings according to which the construction organization erects the building. Unlike the DD stage, where fundamental decisions are sufficient, WD details each architectural element to the level necessary for the production of work and the purchase of materials without additional approvals.

The composition of WD brand AR includes:

• floor plans with breakdown of rooms, placement of partitions and references to construction axes;
• floor plans indicating the types of coatings and slopes in rooms with wet processes;
• roof plan with slope, location of gutters and details of junctions;
• facades with marks, cladding materials, types of windows and doors;
• sections with vertical references to floors, roofs, door and window openings;
• detailed drawings of architectural details: cornices, parapets, plinths, window slopes, expansion joints;
• development of interior decoration for rooms with increased performance requirements;
• specifications for filling window and door openings;
• statements of finishing of premises.
  

For which facilities are architectural and architectural-construction solutions being developed?

Section AR is mandatory for all capital construction projects undergoing state expert review, regardless of their functional purpose and scale. AYU-Project develops architectural and architectural-construction solutions for objects of the following categories:

• Residential buildings - apartment buildings, residential complexes with underground parking, apart-hotels; design in accordance with SP 54.13330.2022 “Residential multi-apartment buildings” with a detailed study of the planning typologies of apartments, common areas and local areas;
• Public buildings - office and administrative centers, shopping and shopping and entertainment complexes, educational and medical institutions, hotels; design according to SP 118.13330.2022 “Public buildings and structures”, taking into account technological requirements for premises and standardized parameters of evacuation routes;
• Industrial buildings - industrial buildings, production and warehouse complexes, logistics terminals; architectural solutions for SP 56.13330.2021 “Industrial buildings” taking into account the requirements of technology, fire safety and working conditions;
• Mixed-Use Developments - mixed-use facilities with residential, commercial and public components; design taking into account regulatory requirements for each functional part and their relative location within a single volume;
• Reconstruction Projects - development of architectural solutions for changing facades, remodeling floors, changing functional purposes with justification for the admissibility of the decisions made for existing structural systems.

Regulatory framework for architectural design

All design documentation developed by AYU-Project complies with the current regulatory and technical framework of the Russian Federation - a mandatory condition both for passing the state expert review and for the safe operation of buildings throughout the entire life cycle of the facility.

• Government Decree of the Russian Federation No. 87 dated 16.02.2008 No. 87 (as amended on 21.10.2025) “On the composition of sections of project documentation and requirements for their content” - determines the mandatory composition and content of sections AR and KR in DD;
• GOST R 21.101-2020“System of design documentation for construction. Basic requirements for design and working documentation” - requirements for drawing up design documentation and working documentation;
• GOST 21.501-2018 “Rules for the implementation of working documentation for architectural and structural solutions” - composition and design rules for WD brand AR;
• SP 54.13330.2022 “Residential multi-apartment buildings” - for residential properties;
• SP 118.13330.2022 “Public buildings and structures” - for public facilities;
• SP 56.13330.2021 “Industrial buildings” - for industrial facilities;
• SP 59.13330.2020 “Accessibility of buildings and structures for people with limited mobility” - requirements for an accessible environment;
• SP 2.13130.2020 - fire safety requirements for space-planning solutions of buildings;
• Federal Law No. 384-FZ “Technical Regulations on the Safety of Buildings and Structures” - basic requirements for the safety of facilities;
• Federal Law No. 169-FZ “On architectural activity in the Russian Federation.”
  

How is work on the architectural section organized: from the task to the transfer of documentation?

The development of architectural solutions is a multi-stage process in which a mistake at a previous stage is much more expensive than asking the right question in a timely manner at the start. That is why the work begins not with drawings, but with a detailed study of the initial data and limitations.

Stage 1. Collection and analysis of initial data. We study the urban planning plan of the land plot (GPZU), technical conditions, design assignment, situational plan, as well as engineering survey materials in the part that affects architectural and planning decisions.

Stage 2. Development of a space-planning concept. Options for planning solutions are formed, functional zoning is carried out, the typology of apartments (for residential properties) or the composition and area of ​​premises (for public and industrial buildings) is determined. The concept is agreed upon with the customer before the development of stage DD begins.

Stage 3. Development of stage DD. Mandatory materials for section AR are being developed in accordance with Government Decree of the Russian Federation No. 87 dated 16.02.2008 No. 87 (ed. dated 21.10.2025) “On the composition of sections of project documentation and requirements for their content.” In parallel, coordination is carried out with the structural and engineering sections to ensure the technical compatibility of all decisions made.

Stage 4. Expert-review support. We accompany DD through the procedure of state or independent expert review, respond to experts’ comments and, if necessary, correct the documentation - this is part of the service and is not a separate expense item.

Stage 5. Development of stage WD. After receiving a positive expert opinion or in parallel with DD (for objects without mandatory expert review), working documentation of the AR brand is developed to the extent necessary for construction work.

Why does the construction business choose AYU-Project?

AYU-Project is an external design and engineering department for developers, general contractors and technical customers with 16 years of design experience at industrial, administrative and residential facilities across Russia. By ordering an architectural section from AYU-Project, a construction company receives not just a set of drawings, but a technically coordinated design solution integrated with all engineering specialties within a single design documentation.

Unified coordination of sections. Architectural solutions are developed in conjunction with structural and engineering sections: the location of columns, floor heights, and the layout of technical premises are agreed upon before the documentation is transferred. The customer receives DD without internal contradictions between sections.

Regulatory relevance. Our team monitors changes in building codes in real time and applies exclusively current editions of regulatory documents - this is a guarantee of completing expert review without comments on regulatory issues.

Fixed terms and costs. The development time and cost of work are fixed in the contract and are not revised unilaterally. A DD delay in a construction project shifts the entire production schedule - we assume financial responsibility for meeting contractual deadlines.

Approvals and qualifications. The company is included in the national register of specialists NOPRIZ and has all the necessary SRO approvals for the design of capital construction projects.

Experience at iconic sites. The portfolio of completed projects includes objects for Russian Railways, PJSC Rosseti Siberia, FGC, NTEK, Permtransgaz, the Ministry of Digital Development of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, GKU KK Digital Kuban and other federal and regional customers.

Cost and procedure for ordering architectural design

The cost of developing design documentation and working documentation for architectural and architectural-construction solutions is determined individually: it is influenced by the type and functional facility purpose, its number of floors and total area, the composition of the sections being developed (only AR, only KR or the complete set AS), as well as the stage of development - DD, WD or technical working draft. When ordering architectural and engineering sections simultaneously under a single contract, the total cost is reduced compared to a separate order.

To receive an accurate commercial offer, leave a request: indicate the type and facility purpose, area and number of floors, availability of GPZU and design assignments. We prepare a commercial offer within one business day. Initial consultation is free. We work across Russia remotely.