Awareness Level of Construction Professionals Towards Futuristic Building Materials in South Africa

The global quest and concerted efforts towards achieving sustainability in the construction industry (CI) are hampered by many factors. An example of such a factor is the continued patronage specification and use of conventional construction materials with severe environmental impacts. To overcome this challenge, the availability, awareness, adoption, and utilisation of building materials and technologies with sustainable attributes are imperative. A class of materials in this category are the futuristic building materials (FBMs) known to possess eco-friendly attributes and are highly effective in realising the sustainability agenda of the CI. Hence, this study examines the awareness level of FBMs among construction professionals in South Africa. This study employed the quantitative research method. A well-structured questionnaire survey was administered to duly registered and practicing construction professionals in the South African construction industry (SACI). The duo of descriptive and exploratory factor analysis was used to analyse the collected data. Findings from the study showed fifteen (15) FBMs in their order of awareness. Wood, recycled plastic, bamboo, rammed earth, and timbercrete are identified as the top FBMs known to construction professionals in the SACI. Conclusively, the result further reiterated the general knowledge that construction professionals are reluctant to change thereby limiting their awareness level and use of the FBMs. It is therefore recommended that a multi-stakeholder approach is directed toward FBMs to ensure their proliferation, adoption, and use in the CI.