Mu Jun. / Thesis submitted in: December 2005. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 181-183). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Chapter 1. --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 2. --- Issues and Background --- p.5 / Chapter 2.1. --- Why Ecological Architecture? --- p.5 / Chapter 2.1.1. --- Fossil Fuels and Environmental Issues --- p.5 / Chapter 2.1.2. --- The Buildings' Role in the Issues --- p.9 / Chapter 2.2. --- Knowledge in Ecological Design --- p.11 / Chapter 2.2.1. --- About Ecological Architecture --- p.11 / Chapter 2.2.2. --- Thermal Study ~ A Significant Way to Ecological Architecture --- p.13 / Chapter 2.2.3. --- What is Suitable Ecological Architecture for Loess Plateau areas of China --- p.16 / Chapter 3. --- Defining the Future Ecological Architecture in Loess Plateau Areas --- p.20 / Chapter 3.1. --- Economy for Building --- p.20 / Chapter 3.1.1. --- Situation --- p.20 / Chapter 3.1.2. --- Technological Strategies towards a Cost-effective Ecological Approach --- p.22 / Chapter 3.1.3. --- Alternative-Technological Approach --- p.24 / Chapter 3.2. --- Climate --- p.25 / Chapter 3.2.1. --- Climatic Characteristics --- p.25 / Chapter 3.2.2. --- A climatically Responsive Approach ~ Selective Environmental Design --- p.32 / Chapter 3.2.3. --- Climatic Response of Thermal Design Guidelines --- p.33 / Chapter 3.2.3.1. --- Minimizing Heat loss through Building Fabrics --- p.34 / Chapter 3.2.3.2. --- Utilization of Available Natural Energy --- p.37 / Chapter 3.3. --- Benefits from Vernacular Architecture --- p.45 / Chapter 3.3.1. --- Earth ArchitecturéؤVernacular Architecture on Loess Plateau --- p.45 / Chapter 3.3.1.1. --- Classification --- p.46 / Chapter 3.3.1.2. --- Environmental Performance --- p.53 / Chapter 3.3.2. --- Literature Review of Studies on Earth Architecture --- p.58 / Chapter 3.3.2.1. --- Properties of Earth-based Materials --- p.58 / Chapter 3.3.2.2. --- Literature on Earth Architecture --- p.60 / Chapter 3.3.3. --- Issues and Development --- p.76 / Chapter 3.3.3.1. --- Limitation in Existing Earth Architecture of Loess Plateau --- p.76 / Chapter 3.3.3.2. --- Recent Research on Developing Earth Architecture in Loess Plateau Areas --- p.77 / Chapter 3.3.3.3. --- Considerations --- p.81 / Chapter 3.4. --- Conclusion --- p.82 / Chapter 4. --- Making of the Classroom as Designed for the Thermal Study --- p.84 / Chapter 4.1. --- Why a Classroom? --- p.84 / Chapter 4.2. --- The School Project and the Classroom Simulated --- p.85 / Chapter 5. --- Thermal Study by Simulating Experiments --- p.88 / Chapter 5.1. --- Research Methodology --- p.88 / Chapter 5.2. --- Program Validation --- p.89 / Chapter 5.3. --- Experimental Series of Simulation and Model Setup --- p.93 / Chapter 5.4. --- Thermal Mass and Insulation --- p.95 / Chapter 5.4.1. --- External Wall --- p.95 / Chapter 5.4.2. --- Roof Study --- p.97 / Chapter 5.4.3. --- "Windows, Doors and Glazing" --- p.100 / Chapter 5.4.4. --- Incorporated Performance --- p.103 / Chapter 5.5. --- Passive system for natural energy use --- p.106 / Chapter 5.5.1. --- Passive Solar System Study --- p.106 / Chapter 5.5.1.1. --- Wall-based Passive Solar System --- p.106 / Chapter 5.5.1.2. --- Roof-based Passive Solar System --- p.125 / Chapter 5.5.1.3. --- System Comparison in Thermal Performance --- p.135 / Chapter 5.5.2. --- Natural Ventilation System with the Heat Exchanger --- p.137 / Chapter 5.5.2.1. --- Pre-warming Effect of the Solar Space --- p.139 / Chapter 5.5.2.2. --- Effect of the Earth-air-tunnel --- p.142 / Chapter 5.5.2.3. --- Incorporation with the Chimney --- p.153 / Chapter 5.5.2.4. --- Comparison in Performance --- p.158 / Chapter 5.6. --- Summary --- p.159 / Chapter 6. --- Design Improvement and Performance Prediction --- p.162 / Chapter 6.1. --- System Incorporation and Design Improvement --- p.161 / Chapter 6.2. --- Thermal Performance Prediction --- p.167 / Chapter 7. --- Conclusion --- p.174 / Appendix --- p.179