Review: Altan, H., Kang, J., Wang, X., 2014. ‘Parametric Study on the Performance of Green Residential Buildings in China’, University of Sheffield, UK, British University of Dubai, Uae, www.sciencedirect.com

REVIEW:
Altan, H., Kang, J., Wang, X., 2014. ‘Parametric Study on the Performance of Green Residential Buildings in China’, University of Sheffield, UK, British University of Dubai, Uae, www.sciencedirect.com 


The Article is finite in it’s approach to the consideration of how green buildings perform in China. It does outline the various climatic zones of the region, however it does not indicate a comprehensive array of buildings throughout these climatic conditions.

 Problematically, the research is unclear as to exactly how residents were moved to other buildings? And the numbers are given of almost 300 candidates reviewed. Though one would presume that the conditions of green building in China are far more wide reaching than this.

 The study is excellent in its considerations of the load capacity as influenced by portable devices that are to alter climate, and, the research comes to the conclusion that; human beings will attempt to alter their internal environments through the use of accessible electrical appliances. 

 The research does not really touch on where traditional dwellings  (even high rise) represent alternatives, and as there is only consideration of two building forms that are represented as unequivocal Chinese norms. Rather, we are shown ‘pedestal’ examples of building shapes that really could exist in any climate.

 Though there is a good review of the scientific factors such as U and R values, and a left of field inclusion of the green building stipulation from the united states, readers and researchers will struggle to discover exactly where the research is leading, other than as stated in the conclusion that Building Shape Co-efficient is of course, not the only factor that is prevalent when designing green buildings, and that participants within the Building structure will attempt via some means to alter their conditions.

 This is of course only put up against statistical data of the energy use of Chinese buildings and residents and not a thermal evaluation of spaces where appliance (heaters/air con/ split system) are removed entirely from the space.

 Research like this constantly will have the struggle of not getting lost too much in the numbers and the language of the the relevant fields so that a real-life comprehensive result can be suggested. Had there been some formal attempt to place the research within a breadth of statistical data that spanned a group of dwellings, the results would have ‘sited’ the building and conditions more.

 On interesting point was the show of high-rise construction of 18m showing a linear graph of energy use, however the real energy use with the consideration of participants being that only the middle three floors found any gross energy saving effect.

 What should we take from this?

 China is a mega-tropolis and much like a mega-tropilis needs to reconsider the value of medium density construction. That medium density construction actually (though not mentioned in the article) has precedence within mainland China. Where modern ‘healthy housing’ is a good move for the Chinese, are they stepping away from traditional cultural medium density alternatives that currently satisfy the thermal issues encountered in the array of micro-climates within the country? 



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