ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic gives us a reason to once again draw attention to the problems of optimal functional and spatial organization of residential structures (traditional and mixed types of residential buildings and complexes) and of their basic elements—accommodation units. In the article the authors try to summarize the results of numerous progressive developments in architecture and construction in recent decades. The main problem of creating a comfortable living environment and its elements is that high-quality and proven architectural and planning solutions are often neglected for the sake of short-term economic benefits or considered outdated. The authors focus on optimizing the design solutions of residential cells (as the basic elements of residential structures) in terms of various functional scenarios of their use, as well as their comfort and environmental friendliness. The article provides examples of experimental design developments carried out under the guidance of the authors and awarded at International competitions. The novelty of the proposed recommendations is due to the construction of a system of principles, techniques and means of organizing housing adequate to the needs of society faced with a pandemic. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.