Contemporary multifunctional buildings towards a sustainable development of the housing environment

Abstract Development of contemporary urban centers depends on the basis that buildings present more and more complex structures in terms of size and purpose. They are referred to as multifunctional buildings. This aspiration has its origins in the development of urban centers and in the desire to optimize the built-up areas. The article presents the theory of the approach to the design of multifunctional buildings with a focus on the residential function and the nature of environment that these objects shape. The optimization of the design model shows the multi-threaded nature in the pursuit of determining its functional features. This paper presents a model based approach to the design of multifunctional structures with the residential function based on theoretical considerations and practical knowledge. Examples show an upward trend in the construction of residential complexes. The presented research results show an original, systemic approach to the issue, from the urban context to the architectural environment, which aims to improve the design model constituting a part of larger functional complexes. The integration of systems theory, architectural design and spatial execution provides the methodological framework of the work.