Green building performance assessment in China using a cloud model

Abstract

With the acceleration of urbanization process in China, the usage of sustainable green buildings is getting a great attention and significance in order to reduce energy consumption. However, there are still challenges for evaluating the performance of green buildings in China due to the lack of unified codes/standards. This paper proposes a method based on cloud model to evaluate the performance of green buildings. This method overcomes the randomness and subjectivity of fuzzy concepts to the maximum extent; on this basis, the system’s indexes including environmental–economic balance, regional social coordination, health, comfort, and green management can be established. The analytic hierarchy process and entropy weight methods are used to calculate the index weight; the cloud model is used to realize the transformation between qualitative and quantitative characteristics; and then, a mathematical evaluation model based on the cloud model is established. Finally, an empirical study is made based on a typical case in Shenzhen city, China. The findings of this research work reveal a performance index for green building created based on expert evaluations and a standard cloud yardstick created in the comprehensive cloud model. Based on the results of this manuscript, the industry can acquire benefits by suggesting effective measures that can be implemented in all stages of green buildings construction where the measurements execution and persuasive components make appraisal models for a green building. This study provides a consistent framework for researchers and other public to evaluate green buildings, and provides a solid foundation for further research and consideration basis on sustainable development and green building operation.