Extract

ABSTRACT: Aiming to minimize fossil fuel use and environmental impacts caused by buildings,
thermal design is one of the most effective approaches to achieve ecological architecture. For any
given region, building designs have to follow the principles of ecological architecture. In this context,
under the poor conditions of China’s Loess Plateau region, the limitation in the budget and resources
for construction is the main challenge faced by ecological design. The study presented in this paper
employs a methodology based on computer simulation and analyses. Based on locally available
building elements and technology the paper carries out a series of alternative techniques and feasible
thermal design strategies for this region, aiming to reach the most effective ecological approach. The
relationship between the cost increase and improvement on the building thermal performance resulting
from each technique is presented, so as to assist locals to design and construct the feasible ecological
buildings according to their individual situations in economy, resources, functions and site conditions.
This illustrates an inspiring way towards an ecological architecture suitable for China’s Loess Plateau
region.

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