Thesis (BS Architecture) -- University of the Philippines Mindanao, 2013

Fiber cement production has long been around. Various companies from different parts of the world manufacture hundreds of types of fiber cement. This architectural building material is widely used as panel boards, sidings slabs and even in future design. However, behind the attention the fiber cement is acquiring, it also has imposed multiple number of controversies especially health risks. This research study intends to innovate a new architectural building material that is Sago Fiber Cement Board. Eliminating the use of asbestos and promoting environment friendly fiber cement is one of the main goals of this study. Throughout the course of the study, it was proven that crude Sago fiber is an effective alternative cellulose fibrous material for fiber cement board production, hence the production of Sago Fiber Cement Boards (SFCBs). Series of experiments and quality assurance tests were conducted to be able to come up with a conclusion on the potential of Sago Fiber. This new architectural building material and its product development process were incorporated into a complex catering all the research, commerce, recreation and production needs for Sago Development Studies. The said complex named Business, Technology and Research Incubation Center (BTRIC) serves as the primary research development center for the University of the Philippines Mindanao.