The idea of balconies as a place to store things or to dry clothes is now outdated – now they are designed as part of a living space
Photo: Sergey Ermokhin / TASS
Balconies in their usual form evenly go into the past: not only their functional purpose, but also their appearance changes. From cluttered pantries, where everything that does not fit in the apartment is stored, they are converted into real places for work and leisure.
Looking at the facades of modern new buildings, you can move your brains that many houses are built without balconies. In place of the usual loggias, panoramic glazing is increasingly being used, followed by a warm living area.
Today in Moscow, balconies are not provided for in a number of modern new buildings (Yartsevskaya 24, PIK GC, Zilart LSR, etc.), and also in most apartment complexes and lofts located in former industrial buildings (Park Mira, Loft Factory et al.).
RBC Real Estate finds out why there are fewer balconies and loggias in new buildings of the XXI century.
What is the difference between a balcony and a loggia
In most cases, instead of balconies in modern houses, multifunctional loggias with panoramic glazing are designed to organize a workspace or relaxation area with plenty of natural light and a wide view, developers surveyed by RBC Real Estate say.
Structurally, there are significant differences between the loggia and the balcony. Loggia is a space that does not go beyond the boundaries of the facade of the house, combined with the building with two common walls and a roof. The balcony is an additional protruding element on the facade.
In small-sized Khrushchevs, balconies have traditionally been used as an additional place to store things (Photo: Andrey Makhonin / TASS)
In addition to the design features of the balcony and loggia, the operating requirements also differ. “For example, it is forbidden to take out central heating to the balcony, but in some cases you can get permission to take out heating to the loggia. Historically, loggias and balconies should be located in all houses above fifteen m – this is required by fire safety standards. In the event of a house’s fire, transitions on loggias and balconies to apartments serve as an emergency route, ”says Vadim Kirillov, Managing Partner of ArTel Holding.
