For developing countries, it is important to follow more environmentally conscious paths than earlier western world precedents while assuring that they reach comparable standards of living. Due to the rapid growth of the Chinese economy, the Sustainable Housing in China Project is developing conceptual designs, combined with appropriate technologies, for new urban housing in several of the largest cities in China. The focus is on the design, prototype testing, and evaluation of several residential projects. Also of importance is the appeal to Chinese builders and consumers of such approaches toward energy efficiency, and a clear communication of the inherent advantages of sustainable strategies.

We are carrying out conceptual designs and parallel technology studies on several large projects in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, near Hong Kong. To achieve viable solutions, designs make use of local materials and construction methods as well as local building conditions and lifestyles. Design processes have examined integrated building systems, in addition to specific heating and cooling strategies. Assumptions are tested through the use of computational tools for the accurate modeling of computational fluid dynamics and energy use.

We have completed the design of a large project in Shenzhen that will be built within the next year. During the spring semester, we will be looking into the site and building design for Beijing's Hui Long Guan development. This project is the cooperative effort between MIT, Tsinghua University in Beijing, and Beijing Tian Hong Development Company. There is the possibility of continued work as a thesis project. There might also be an opportunity for travel to China this summer.

For more information, you may visit the web site (under construction) at http://chinahousing.mit.edu or contact faculty involved: Leon Glicksman (glicks@mit.edu), Qingyan Chen (qchen@mit.edu), Leslie Norford (lnorford@mit.edu), Andrew Scott (amscott@mit.edu), or John Fernandez (fernande@mit.edu).