The mass resettlement of residents of cities of the Soviet Union from communal apartments to separate apartments, which are now condescendingly called Khrushchev’s, began in the late fifties of the last century. The large area (kitchen no more than 6 m), quality and comfort of these apartments do not differ, but it should be remembered that at one time they became a real breakthrough.
The first line for the production of such structures was purchased in France. Probably not everyone knows that in many developed countries such residential buildings were built. In the Soviet Union, houses of this type were not built until the beginning of perestroika in 1985. By that time, about 300 million square meters of such housing had been built.
Types of layouts
There are several plans for Khrushchev, it is interesting that each of them in the people received its unofficial name:
Such a layout with a total area of 41 square meters has adjacent rooms, it is considered to be one of the most unsuccessful.
The apartment has an area of 48 m² with adjoining rooms, but the redevelopment of a 2-room walk-through Khrushchev of this type allows you to safely divide the rooms.
The apartment with an area of 44.6 m² got its name due to the fact that it practically repeats the layout of nine-story buildings. By the time the construction of such houses began, the designers had already taken into account the shortcomings of previous houses. The rooms in this version are isolated, but the size of the kitchen confuses. However, when remodeling a 2-room Khrushchev of this type, the kitchen can be expanded to 8 m².
Such a 2-room Khrushchev, the size of which reaches 46 m², is quite rare. The apartment is called a "baby's undershirt" (or "butterfly") due to the fact that its wings are two symmetrically located, identical rooms. Both are isolated, have a decent area. The problem with this layout is the inability to expand the area of the kitchen without affecting one of the rooms.
What is a redevelopment?
Those owners are mistaken who believe that the owner can do anything with his housing. Homeowners are held accountable by the Housing Code of the Russian Federation. This document defines the conversion of housing and redevelopment. In the second case, we are talking about changing the configuration of the premises. All changes are made to the technical passport of the apartment.
Conversion
This is the installation, transfer or replacement of utilities, electrical, sanitary and other equipment. They must also be indicated in the registration certificate of housing.
Matching
If your plans for redevelopment of a 2-room Khrushchev does not include the removal of load-bearing structures, as well as the transfer to the place of the living room of the kitchen, then permission is easy to obtain. The advantage of the Khrushchev can be considered the fact that in them the internal walls are mainly not load-bearing. After obtaining official permission, you can begin to demolish them, create new doorways.
This expands the possibilities of redevelopment of 2-room Khrushchev. Such actions refer to a simple redevelopment. It’s easier to coordinate them - to get permission you can not develop a redevelopment project. It’s just that the planned changes are applied to the floor plan received at BTI.
The approval of the redevelopment of the apartment can be briefly described as follows:
- The owner orders a technical passport of the apartment from the housing inspection.
- A redevelopment project is being drawn up. For this, people from special technical services are invited. They indicate violations, if any, and correct them together with the homeowners.
- A package of documents is being collected to agree on the redevelopment of the apartment.
- The collected papers are submitted to the housing inspectorate for approval.
- Within a month, the homeowner receives a decision.
If the redevelopment plan meets all the established standards, then the refusal does not threaten you. Without approval, even actions permitted by law cannot be performed.
What documents will be required?
The list of required papers is as follows:
- certificate of ownership;
- permission from other owners (if any);
- redevelopment project;
- data sheet;
- statement of established form.
The package of these documents should be addressed to the housing inspectorate or to the multifunctional center. You can start redevelopment of a 2-room apartment-Khrushchev only after obtaining official permission. In addition, you should be aware of the rules for such work.
Rules for redevelopment of apartments
Redevelopment of an apartment in an apartment building is a troublesome and expensive business. This is explained by the need to visit many authorities in which you should obtain permission for the project, and many prohibitions and restrictions. Based on the fact that everything that is not prohibited by law is allowed, we will tell you about the prohibitions that are made in the rules.
- Do not affect supporting structures and main walls.
It is not only about dismantling these structures (full), but also about partial, including truncation. This is due to the fact that the building may lose its bearing capacity and “form”, which may entail human casualties.
In multi-storey buildings, ventilation ducts are designed so as not to create excessive drafts in the apartments and at the same time provide each housing with an influx of fresh air. Dismantling or trimming the ventilation duct will disrupt air circulation in the house.
- The device from the underfloor heating system.
It is forbidden to equip underfloor heating with a common-house heating system due to an increase in the volume of the heated area, which is not included in the calculations of the house designers. As a result of this violation, the temperature in the house decreases, and in an emergency it is difficult to get to the source of the leak. It is allowed to install electric underfloor heating, but in this case an opinion from Gorenergo will be required.
- The combination of kitchen and room in a gasified house.
The ban is due to the fact that with gas leakage and detonation for the home, the damage will be much stronger if the living room is connected to the kitchen. By law, a tightly closing door must be installed between the room and the kitchen.
- Heating radiators must not be installed on the loggia or balcony.
- The connection of the room and the balcony.
In many apartments, such a violation occurs, so many owners mistakenly believe that this is not a violation. The balcony, even insulated, is considered a cold room, its heating is not taken into account in the building design.
- Shutoff valves on the engineering systems of the house.
Despite this ban, many homeowners today are trying to install cranes on the risers of cold water, heating and even sewage.
- Transfer of engineering risers.
Many owners of Khrushchev are annoyed by the numerous pipes in the kitchen, bathroom and they hide them with the help of a finishing layer. In order not to violate the law, engineering communications can be hidden provided that a plumbing box is installed.
- Extension of the bathroom and toilet over the living quarters of the neighbors.
The ban is explained by two reasons: the tiled flooring in humid areas conducts sound well, and therefore undesirable noises will disturb the peace of the neighbors from below, with leakage the rooms of the neighbors will be severely affected.
- Hose the gas equipment under the sink.
This operation is prohibited due to the fact that under the influence of high humidity, the gas hose will corrode and begin to pass gas. We think that we can’t talk about the consequences.
In this section we have cited the most frequent and gross violations during the redevelopment of a 2-room Khrushchev, however, like any other apartment in a multi-storey building. It is impossible to fully describe them within the framework of the article, given the fact that in each individual case certain restrictions may occur. That is why before starting repairs, consult with specialists who are involved in the design and coordination of redevelopment.
Redevelopment Options
The main problem of the Khrushchevs is the small area of the entrance hall, kitchen, bathroom, rooms and very low ceilings. For the sake of solving these problems, the redevelopment of the apartment is being started.
Popular ways
There are several options for repairing a 2-room Khrushchev. The most radical of them is the demolition of all non-bearing walls (with the exception of the bathroom and bath) and the zoning of one large room with lightweight partitions using design techniques. As a result, you will get a nice and comfortable studio apartment.
But this option is not suitable for everyone. In many families, the requirement for isolated rooms remains. In addition, by law, one apartment must always remain residential in the apartment. Popular options for combining the kitchen and living room or bedroom and living room in one room. In this case, it all depends on the composition of the family and the need to create separate premises for its members.
Redevelopment of the "book"
The main problem of such an apartment is the passage room. Proper redevelopment allows you to make two rooms isolated by reducing the not too large area of the second room. But many owners are willing to pay such a price for more comfortable living conditions.
With this layout, the kitchen area can be increased in the only way - by combining it with the room. No more options exist. If it is not possible to add a couple of additional square meters to the room’s area, then try to increase it visually.
The design of the "book"
There are many design techniques to visually expand a small room. First of all, you should think about the color of the finish. The use of bright colors expands the room, and all the saturated and bright colors “compress” it.
It will help to visually expand the room floral print on the wallpaper. But it must be small. When decorating the ceiling, give preference to light, as close as possible to white. The design of a 2-room apartment in Khrushchev will be stylish and modern with suspended ceilings. A multilevel plasterboard ceiling with additional illumination will increase the height of the room.
Flooring - color or plain light in the color scheme selected for the room. The colored flooring visually “raises” the ceiling and “pushes” the walls.
Furniture in such a small room should not become an accent. It is advisable that it be chosen to match the walls. Mirrors add light to the room - they reflect both daylight and artificial light. But their use should be a measure.
Redevelopment of the "tram"
Having started redevelopment of a 2-room Khrushchev with the same name, you can get two isolated rooms. A significant drawback of such a layout is that it is impossible to expand the kitchen without combining it with the room. But to do this is not always possible. In this case, the corridor is extended to the end of the end wall, taking about a meter from the passage room.
Losses in the area, of course, will be, but in part they can be compensated by the appearance of a spacious sliding wardrobe, installed in the space that appears between the rooms. After redevelopment, the remaining area of the reduced room remains quite comfortable. In order to expand the room visually, use the design methods described above.
Redevelopment of "mini-improvements"
This redevelopment will significantly increase the area of the kitchen. It can be 8 square meters after completion of work. This can be achieved by dismantling the pantry. It can be replaced by a compact and modern wardrobe. The bathroom will occupy the storage room, and the bathroom will be in its place.
All the options for redevelopment of a 2-room Khrushchev proposed in this article should be considered as possible. Do not be afraid to supplement and change them to your desires and needs, of course, within the framework of the requirements of the law. To make such an apartment comfortable and modern housing is a difficult task, but possible. If you think that you cannot solve it yourself, contact professional designers for help.