Investigation of Architects’ Awareness of Green Building Technologies in Lagos Metropolis

There is a growing concern about the negative impacts of buildings on the environment and the need to reduce them. Several studies have identified the relevance of green building strategies in this regard. Architects play vital roles throughout the lifespan of a building, from its conception to its demolition or conversion to other uses. It is in the light of this that this study examined the degree to which architects in the Lagos metropolis are aware of green building technologies. The objectives of the study included identification of the socio-economic characteristics of architects in the study area; investigation of their level of awareness of green building technologies; and to ascertain implementation of green building technologies in building projects by architects in the study area. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample consisting of 296 registered architects in the study area. The data obtained from this research was analyzed using the Statistical Product for Services and Solutions (SPSS). The findings revealed that architects in the Lagos metropolis have a general understanding of green building technologies but however, they have not implemented many of the technologies in their building projects. Ranking of level of awareness of the technologies investigated showed that architects in the study area were most aware of solar energy systems and least aware of energy efficient windows. Similarly, ranking of implementation of the technologies revealed that daylighting strategies were mostly used while biofuel systems were least used by architects in the study area. The study also showed that the major factor inhibiting architects from implementing green building technologies was clients’ resistance. Based on these findings, the paper recommends an intensive awareness drive to increase clients’ knowledge of the enormous benefits of green building technologies over conventional technologies.