jaue2015025: Study On The Relationship Between Consumers’ Attitudes, Knowledge, Housing Purchase Patterns And The Development Of Timber Frame Houses In China

Abstract

Timber framed architecture owns thousands of years’ history in China. However, with the rapid industrialization and urbanization, timber frame houses have substantially deceased. Comparing with the major construction material steel and concrete in China, timber, as a green and sustainable architectural material owns clear advantages. However, even Chinese government promote the development of timber frame houses in recent years for the establishment of low carbon society, the market share of it is still very low and the developing speed is slow. This paper presents findings from a questionnaire, shows the Chinese consumers’ attitudes to timber frame houses. The semi-structured questionnaire method was chosen to explore common consumers’ attitudes. It is found that prejudice regarding the deficiency of timber houses, in terms of fire resistance, durability and stability, persists in the minds of consumers and some demographic factors have important impacts on the choice of timber frame house. The aim of this paper is better understanding Chinese consumers’ attitudes towards the development of timber frame houses in houses from their demographic factors, thus to figure out better development way and the ways for improving consumers’ understanding about timber frame house.