Stages of development in the architecture of residential complexes in China

Residential complex is one of the main forms of urban residence. Over the 70 years since the founding of New China, residential complexes in the country have undergone significant changes. Architectural forms, building layouts and household designs have evolved in accordance with social needs and modifications of housing concepts in different historical periods. Based on the important turning points in the development of residential architecture in China, this article discusses the significant changes that have occurred in the design of residential complexes since 1949 to the present. Analysis points out five stages: the first is the period of planned economy from 1949 to 1978; the second is 1979-1990, the early period of reform and opening up; the third is 1990-2000, the period of commercial housing emergence; the fourth is the period of accelerated urbanization from 2000 to 2010; the fifth is the period from 2010 to the present day, in which the residential complex is entering the era of smart technology and ecology. This article considers the internal mechanism driving the evolution of the design of residential complexes in China taking into account the timeframe, housing policy, demographic structure and lifestyle of each stage. It also summarizes the characteristics of the current period of residential complex developments from the point of view of functional planning, energy conservation, environmental protection, and integration of the community. The findings provide a certain theoretical basis and reference material for subsequent studies.