Attention to Rural Green-Building Design in China

Abstract

Under the background and policy of Coordinating Urban-Rural Development in China, this article suggests that Green-building design should be promoted not only in urban area but also in countryside. Through an extensive analysis of the current status of Chinese sustainable design practice and comparison between urban area and rural area, the author emphasizes the necessity of propelling rural green building in China. By discussing the difference of US LEEDTM Rating System and Chinese Green-building Evaluation Standard (GB/T50378-2006), the author finds the fact that green-building design has been neglected in countryside for a long time, and government should take the responsibility to direct green building design in rural area with necessary policies and standards. This article suggests 4 green-building design principles in countryside: adopting passive energy-saving, using local material, reclaiming traditional concept of architectural design and space planning and paying more attention to building function and façade from sustainable perspective. At the end, it draws the conclusion that green-building design in rural area is urgently needed with the overall development trend in China.