Skip to main content

Obstacles of Implementing Green Building in Architectural Practices

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Green Building in Developing Countries

Part of the book series: Green Energy and Technology ((GREEN))

Abstract

This chapter looks at obstacles for implementing green building in design practices in China. A literature and document review is conducted to understand current situation of design process in China. An interview of experienced green building designers is conducted to identify the specific obstacles to designing green building in China. The research found that the conventional linear design process negatively affects the implementation. The specific obstacles mentioned architects are such as intrinsic mind-set, difficulties in performance assessment, unsuitable working patterns and doubts about green technologies. The study suggests that the measure to unblocking these obstacles and moving forward green building development is an integrated design process. The research also suggests at least three paradigm shifts toward the integrated design process: from descriptive to performance-based design, from personal experience to building simulation, and from individual to collective decision making.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Ahmad T, Thaheem MJ, Anwar A (2016) Developing a green-building design approach by selective use of systems and techniques. Archit Eng Des Manage 12(1):29–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Chen JW, Zhao P, Xue W (2011) The research on Sino-US green building rating system. Energy Procedia 5:1205–1209

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Gou Z, Lau SSY (2014) Contextualizing green building rating systems: case study of Hong Kong. Habitat Int 44:282–289

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Gou Z, Lau SSY, Shen J (2012) Indoor environmental satisfaction in two LEED offices and its implications in green interior design. Indoor Built Environ 21(4):503–514

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Gou Z, Lau SSY, Prasad D (2013) Market readiness and policy implications for green buildings: case study from Hong Kong. J Green Build 8(2):162–173

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Gou Z, Lau SSY, Zhang Z (2012) A comparison of indoor environmental satisfaction between two green buildings and a conventional building in China. J Green Build 7(2):89–104

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Gou Z, Xie X (2016) Evolving green building: triple bottom line or regenerative design? Clean Prod (in Press). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.02.077

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Häkkinen T, Belloni K (2011) Barriers and drivers for sustainable building. Build Res Inf 39(3):239–255

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Hansen H, Knudstrup M (2005) The Integrated Design Process (IDP)—a more holistic approach to sustainable architecture. In: Action for sustainability—the 2005 world sustainable building conference, Tokyo

    Google Scholar 

  10. Hopkins EA (2016) Barriers to adoption of campus green building policies. Smart Sustain Built Environ 5(4):340–351

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Jiang Y (2005) Architect’s professional practice. Tsinghua University Press, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  12. Larsson N (2004) The integrated design process. International Initiative for a Sustainable Built Environment (iiSBE) Report

    Google Scholar 

  13. Li D (2009) A road of Eco-Design. China Architecture and Building Press, Beijing (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Liu X (1999) Theories of modern architecture. China Architecture and Building Press, Beijing (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  15. Liu H (2007) Analysis of obstacles and countermeasures in popularization of green residence. Hous Sci 1:31–34 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Löhnert G, Dalkowski A, Sutter W (2003) Integrated Design Process: a guideline for sustainable and solar optimized building design Solar Heating and Cooling Programme. IEA International Energy Agency, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  17. Morbitzer C, Strachan P, Webster J, Spires B, Cafferty D (2001) Integration of building simulation into the design process of an architecture practice. In: Seventh international IBPSA conference, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Aug 13–15, 2001

    Google Scholar 

  18. Pearl D (2004) An Integrated Design Process (IDP)—the crossover between practice and education breeds a new form of architectural representation. Can Archit

    Google Scholar 

  19. Qin Y (2005) Green buildings under China’s actual conditions. Chin Overseas Archit 3:4–5 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Reed WG, Gordon EB (2000) Integrated design and building process: what research and methodologies are needed? Build Res Inf 28(5–6):325–337

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Robichaud LB, Anantatmula VS (2010) Greening project management practices for sustainable construction. J Manag Eng 27(1):48–57

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Rydin Y (2006) Reassessing the role of planning in delivering sustainable development. SDRN/RICS Lecture Sustainability and the Built Environment, RICS, London, 12 Dec 2006

    Google Scholar 

  23. Sun D (2011) Casebook of the newest green building in China. China Architecture and Building Press, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  24. Tan Y, Liu L (2007) A study of existent issues in energy-efficient design. Chin Overseas Archit 6:57–59

    Google Scholar 

  25. US Green Building Council (USGBC) (2009) LEED reference guide for green building design and construction. US Green Building Council, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  26. Windapo AO, Goulding JS (2015) Understanding the gap between green building practice and legislation requirements in South Africa. Smart Sustain Built Environ 4(1):67–96

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Wu X (2007) Two modes of green architecture design. Archit J 9:11–14 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  28. Xia C, Zhu Y (2009) Study on energy-saving design for architecture scheme—design program and tool. Build Sci 6:6–9 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  29. Xu F, Zhang G, Xie M (2009) Integrated design method and process for architectural energy saving. Archit J 11:55–57 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  30. Yudelson J (2007) The green building revolution. Island Press

    Google Scholar 

  31. Zou PXW, Couani C (2012) Managing risks in green building supply chain. Archit Eng Des Manage 8(2):143–158

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors like to thank all participants involved in the interview. The interview survey is approved by Human Research Ethics Committee for Non-Clinical Faculties at the University of Hong Kong. The reference No. is EA181211.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zhonghua Gou .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Xie, X., Gou, Z. (2020). Obstacles of Implementing Green Building in Architectural Practices. In: Gou, Z. (eds) Green Building in Developing Countries. Green Energy and Technology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-24650-1_3

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-24650-1_3

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-24649-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-24650-1

  • eBook Packages: EnergyEnergy (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics