Causes of Architect’s “Absence” in Green Building Practices

Beginning from an analysis of the green building evaluation and labeling projects reviewed, this paper has a comprehensive analysis on the low content of green design and obvious “absence” of architects in the majority of evaluation and labeling projects by use of the theories of green architecture and economics. The author holds that such “absence” is originated from the external economy and technical complexity of green buildings and attributes the causes to two aspects: First, there is no sound and effective incentive mechanism in the environment in which the architects are, especially the lack of professional identity and motivation of green design in architectural design appraisal, award and review criteria; Second, architects are less self-motivated, mentally backward and poor in comprehensive quality. Targeted measures are expected to advance the concept changes in the architectural education community, promote architects to transform thinking and enhance capacity and boost the “green” development of green buildings.