What defines an ideal home? Perhaps it is gentle morning light streaming through big floor-to-ceiling windows, the comfort of a spacious and well-designed living room filled with laughter or a quiet bedroom that offers sanctuary from the outside world. Among the many architectural elements that shape our living experiences, ceiling height plays a crucial role, affecting everything from air circulation to spatial perception.

The 2011 Residential Design Code issued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (MOHURD) set the standard ceiling height for many types of residential buildings in China at 2.8 meters. While technically adequate, this height can foster a feeling of confinement, diminishing the overall sense of comfort and spaciousness, especially in larger residential units. For an average adult male standing approximately 1.7 meters tall, raising a hand would bring him close to 2.3 or 2.4 meters—leaving little space between his fingertips and the ceiling.

That is about to change. On March 31, the MOHURD introduced a new residential building code, which is slated to take effect on May 1. A pivotal amendment within this regulation is the elevation of the minimum ceiling height for newly constructed residential buildings to three meters. Though an increase of 20 centimeters may appear modest, its impact is expected to be substantial—mitigating noise transmission between floors, enhancing ventilation and natural lighting and ultimately elevating the overall living experience.

This adjustment aligns with the concept of "quality homes," which was introduced for the first time in this year's government work report, delivered by Premier Li Qiang at the opening meeting of the Third Session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, in Beijing on March 5.

The annual meetings of the NPC and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the country's top political advisory body, are popularly known as the Two Sessions. They are held to discuss and decide upon key political and economic policies, shaping the country's governance and development for the year ahead and beyond. This year's NPC and CPPCC National Committee sessions took place from March 5 to 11 and March 4 to 10, respectively.

The report said that, over the coming year, the government will improve the standards and regulations on building quality homes that are safe, comfortable, eco-friendly and smart in order to meet the demand for high-quality housing.

"The incorporation of the 'quality homes' concept into the government work report signifies that it will be a key focus of this year's real estate market development," Yan Yuejin, Deputy Director of the E-house China R&D Institute in Shanghai, told newspaper The Beijing News.

Defining quality

As stated in the report, a "quality home" must incorporate four essential qualities: safety, comfort, sustainability and smart technology. Specifically, safety and comfort ensure that residents feel secure, at ease and happy in their living environment. Sustainability promotes healthier living conditions, reduces costs for residents and conserves resources. Smart technology makes daily life easier and more convenient.

Under the new code, a "quality home" has quantifiable standards. In addition to a minimum ceiling height of three meters, each residential unit must have at least one bedroom or living room that meets a set standard for required sunlight exposure.

The regulation also lowers the threshold for installing elevators from buildings taller than six floors to those over three floors. Each residential unit must be equipped with at least one elevator. This adjustment addresses the needs of the elderly, facilitates the transportation of heavy items and is beneficial for medical emergency access. It also helps avoid the challenges of retrofitting elevators in the future.

To meet the needs of the elderly, the regulation mandates an uninterrupted barrier-free pedestrian system be implemented within the grounds of residential buildings. Inside the bathroom, grab bars should be installed next to the toilet and shower, or provisions should be made for future installation. The flooring should be non-slip, and bathroom doors should be designed to allow accessibility in emergency situations.

Additionally, higher sound insulation requirements have been established for walls and floors between bedrooms, living rooms and adjacent units, ensuring a quieter and more comfortable living environment.

On March 9, Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Ni Hong said at a press conference that delivering high-quality housing requires a strong focus on technological advancement. This includes promoting new technologies, materials and products to address key concerns such as poor sound insulation and unpleasant odors. He urged intensified efforts to advance smart home systems and encourage both government departments and enterprises to develop and widely promote high-quality housing.

Ni emphasized that the "quality home" standards should be applied to both commercial and affordable housing projects. Ni called on local governments to prioritize building affordable housing in compliance with high standards, as government-led projects should set an example. Additionally, various strategies should be employed to upgrade older homes, transforming them into high-quality housing.

Ni said the increasing supplies of "quality homes" will promote the upgrading of housing consumption, unlocking huge potential for real estate market growth and expanding domestic demand.

According to real estate research institution China Index Academy (CIA), multiple local governments have included the construction of "quality homes" in their 2025 targets.

A new era of development

Industry insiders said the new code signals that China's real estate industry is entering a new era.

"The role of 'quality homes' as a key driver in shaping a new model for real estate development will become increasingly prominent," Cao Jingjing, General Manager of CIA's Index Division, told Beijing Review. "It opens up new avenues for the transformation and upgrading of real estate companies. Those that excel in product quality, service capabilities and operational efficiency will gain greater market opportunities."

The construction of quality homes will create a synergistic effect with other measures proposed in the government work report, such as adjusting or reducing property purchase restrictions, redeveloping aging villages that have been enveloped by growing cities and renovating old and dilapidated residential buildings. The coordination of efforts on supply and demand sides is expected to help stabilize the real estate market, Cao said.

The implementation of the new rules will undoubtedly have an impact on the value of existing homes, Li Daokui, Director of the Academic Center for Chinese Economic Practice and Thinking at Tsinghua University, said on his personal social media account.

While there are possibilities that older homes will devalue, the magnitude of the loss is unlikely to be significant in the short term. This is because it will take at least a year or two for the new standards to be fully applied to new housing projects, and these new homes will not immediately be available for sales, he said.

Moreover, as the quality of new homes improves under the new standards, prices are expected to rise, which means they may not align with everyone's budget. As a result, older homes may face a price reassessment, leading to a wider price gap with new residences. This shift provides more options for those looking to buy or upgrade their homes, he said.

Buyers can tailor their decisions based on their personal circumstances—whether it's opting to rent before buying, starting with a smaller property before upgrading or buying now with future improvements in mind. For those not in a rush to buy, waiting may be an option, as the new standard homes will offer greater comfort than the homes many are living in, Li concluded. BR

(Print Edition: Raising the Roof)

Copyedited by G.P. Wilson

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