A S$125 Million Wooden Building in Singapore Face Mould Issues After Just One Year

Gaia, the largest wooden building located at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore, faces challenges following a recent building inspection.

Despite its impressive 450,000 square feet and being newly built, a troubling issue has surfaced: the timber has become a breeding ground for mold, which has started to permeate the wooden structure. Austrian spruce, the primary wood used in Gaia, has a lower resistance to mold than most other wood types, making it vulnerable in Singapore’s climate where relative humidity often reaches 80 percent.

Staff and Students who utilize the building have expressed feelings of disgust and concern about the emerging problem. Mold can cause health issues, so the issue goes beyond the building’s appearance.

NTU has acknowledged the problem emphasizing that it is a pioneering project in the tropics. They are actively monitoring and adjusting indoor conditions to mitigate mold growth, focusing on airflow, air conditioning, and humidity control.

On the upside, the building passed its most recent indoor air quality tests in February, with another test scheduled for September. The university has implemented a comprehensive mold treatment and preservation program, encouraging staff and students to report any mold sightings.

Source: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/property/ntus-wooden-building-future-has-mould-problem