Technology Roadmapping: Nano Technology in Construction in Saudi Arabia

Summary

As the world continues searching and implementing sustainable solutions, the uptake of green building technologies has continued to lag behind, especially in the developing world. Conventional building approaches have been identified to contribute significantly to environmental pollution through greenhouse emissions, besides high consumption of energy and other resources such as water. Shifting to green building designs is fronted as one of the most feasible alternatives that can help in solving some of the challenges that conventional building designs present. Specifically, green building designs provide the benefits of low energy consumption, reduced resource utilization, lower operational costs, reduced environmental pollution, and enhanced durability of buildings. Recent advances in green building paradigms are exploring the possibility of incorporating nanomaterials in order to create innovative composites for use in the construction of green buildings, as they provide improved properties such as heat insulation, which is critical in energy saving, and enhanced tensile strength. The purpose of this chapter is to describe nanotechnology applications in green building design. The chapter uses literature review and experts' option research methodology in order to achieve the goals. The study was specifically focused on exploring the potential for green building approaches in the Saudi Arabian market while taking into consideration the most important nanoarchitecture and green building approaches that guarantee less energy consumption, resource conservation, improved livability, and reduced environmental impacts. The study also included technology roadmapping, taking into consideration the potential of nanotechnology application. A technology roadmap is a tool that companies can use in planning short‐term and long‐term goals and aligning them with technology adoption. Technology roadmapping was done for green architecture trends while focusing on identifying the most important market drivers, products, technology, and resources that will support greater adoption of green architecture. The study is intended at creating awareness among stakeholders in the building industry and other interest groups about the potential for application of nanotechnology in the construction of sustainable buildings. The study supports the use of nanomaterials in concrete‐based composites for use in the construction of green buildings. Moreover, the study identifies that regions with extreme climatic conditions such as in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia can leverage combining nanoarchitecture and green building approaches to construct buildings with improved livability and less environmental impacts.