HINDRANCES FOR BUILDING SMART INTERFACES SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION IN IRAQ: DESIGNERS’ PERSPECTIVES

The smart interface system is the component that surrounds a building differently from the traditional interface in terms of its material property. It is a dynamic surface that occurs to balance the external and internal environment through colors and transparency. Through this technology, the internal environment in terms of heat, lighting and sound can be controlled. This paper presents the findings of a study on the obstacles preventing Iraqi designers from using smart interfaces in the design of buildings in Iraq and assessing the level of knowledge and their understanding concerning smart interfaces' framework. The Iraqi architects and civil engineers were the target sample to obtain the data conducted through a questionnaire survey with a random sampling technique. The quantitative data is then analyzed through descriptive analysis; Spearman's rho correlation and Relative Importance Index (RII) technique were also employed. It was found that most respondents possess moderate knowledge and awareness of smart interfaces system; however, non-have designed or implement buildings with the smart interface system. The findings suggest that lack of training and education on smart interfaces design and construction, shortage of local skilled workers, designers faced with economic pressures, lack of investors for the construction of smart interfaces buildings and further lack of awareness by the clients and developers found to be the foremost top five hindrances that prevent the Iraqi designers from adopting the use of smart interfaces system for buildings in Iraq.