POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF FUTURISTIC BUILDING MATERIALS

The construction industry (CI) is one of the most important sectors requiring multistakeholder interventions to ensure it achieves the sustainability agenda. Such intervention can be the specification and use of products and materials with the potential to accelerate the sustainability agenda of the CI. An example is futuristic building materials (FBMs) which are a set of innovative products and materials with the potential to mitigate and address the environmental impact of the CI. Hence, this study is aimed at assessing the benefits attributed to the adoption and utilization of FBMs in the South African construction industry. The quantitative research approach was adopted in this study. Data were collected from active and duly registered construction professionals. A descriptive statistical method and exploratory factor analysis were employed to analyze the collected data. Findings from the study identified sixteen benefits of FBMs in their order of importance. The findings further identified reusability and recyclability, environmental friendliness, reduced waste generation, low carbon emission, and less energy consumption as the top benefits of adopting and utilizing FBMs. The study concluded that FBMs possess significant potential in aiding the realization of the sustainability agenda of the CI. It is recommended that necessary support and investment be facilitated by all stakeholders, especially the government to ensure the proliferation and adoption of FBMs.