ENHANCING GREEN BUILDINGS IN SINGAPORE THROUGH THE USE OF NANOSTRUCTURED TITANIUM DIOXIDE

Abstract

Acting as passive “air scrubbers”, the application of nanostructured titanium dioxide (TiO2) coatings can save façade maintenance costs, conserve water, eliminate contaminants and provide an improved air environment. Especially in Singapore, where tropical conditions prevail all year round, the abundance of rainfall would aid in the maintainability of facades when nanostructured TiO2 coatings are applied. These coatings could be extremely beneficial to the Singapore society if widely implemented. However, the adoption is still in its infancy.

The objective of this study is to investigate building practitioners’ awareness, study their perception towards the coatings and evaluate the factors of concerns, which deter them from embracing the technology. Surveys have been sent out to architects and local contractors. Interviews have also been conducted to validate and gain deeper insights into the issues identified. The limitations of this research include a relatively small sample size of 39 responses for surveys and the highly subjective perception studies involved.

It was found that “Health and Safety Concerns”, “Budgetary Considerations” and “Governmental Regulations” were three main deterring factors. Also, the limited level of knowledge behind how the technology works is fundamentally the cause of why industry professionals are unduly concerned over certain factors. Indisputably, the use of nanostructured TiO2 coatings can bring many benefits to building users and the public. However, the mass adoption of such coatings is only feasible upon acceptance of industry professionals and to overcome these barriers of acceptance, building practitioners have to be educated into understanding in-depth about the technology.